Film & Media
15-WEEK ONLINE FILMMAKING
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This 15-Week workshop follows the same curriculum as the 4-Week workshops but is spread over fifteen weeks. It’s designed to meet the needs of students who have other commitments.
Schedule Options
The program is offered for two different time zone options. Click here for the
two options.
Workshop Description
The Evening Online Film Workshop gives students the instruction they need while allowing them to fulfill other obligations during the day throughout the workweek.
Over the course of fifteen weeks students will learn that film directing is all about making informed creative decisions that best serve the needs of the story. In addition to learning how a director communicates with cast, crew and, ultimately, the audience, participants will also get a thorough introduction to all roles found on a film set, including: Producing, Production Design, Cinematography, Editing, Screenwriting and Sound Design.
All classes are geared toward providing the building blocks needed to create a compelling short film. The course meets two evenings a week for 2.5-hour classes for the first thirteen weeks and three nights a week for the last two weeks.
Throughout the fifteen week commitment, in addition to the class hours, students will also have scheduled edit sessions to complete their projects and will participate in directing their own projects - three in total. It is truly a learning by doing experience.
This is an introductory workshop, no prerequisites are required nor any prior experience expected.
Weekly Breakdown
- Weeks 1-4:Visual Literacy/Understanding the Language of Cinema and shot design for continuity.
- Practicum: Continuity Exercise
- Weeks 5-9: Elements of Story, Pacing & Rhythm.
- Practicum: Music & Montage Exercise
- Weeks 10-13: Building Character, Creating POV, Working with Dialogue and the Importance of Sound.
- Practicum: Final Film Exercise physical Production
- Weeks 14 & 15: Putting it All Together
- Practicum: Post Production on Final Film
15-Week Online Filmmaking Class Descriptions
Director’s Craft
The core of any Filmmaking Program, Director’s Craft introduces students to the fundamentals of directing a film. As directors, students will focus on the essentials of visual storytelling. They will learn concepts to help achieve maximum psychological impact by studying the director’s decisions in camera placement, blocking, staging, and visual image design.
Upon successful completion of this portion of the course, students will be able to create a floor plan, shot list, and shooting schedule. They will also be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the components of designing a shot, create and direct the dramatic beats in a script.
Director’s Craft is broken down into 5 subclasses: Directors Craft, Screen & Critique, Directing Actors, Preproduction Meetings, Producing for Directors and Production Design.
Cinematography
This course is designed to introduce the student to the art of cinematography enabling the film director to make informed choices. In addition to introducing the students to the principles of photography as applied to the moving image, it will also cover fundamental lighting techniques. Students learn how to support the story with appropriate lighting choices. This includes non-traditional lighting techniques using available light sources in a safe and creative manner.
Cinematography is broken down into the following subclasses: Image & Style , Understanding the Moving Image, Principles of Lighting and Guerilla Lighting, and Screen & Critique.
Editing
This area of study presents students with multiple aesthetic approaches to editing video. Students will learn how to apply concepts such as temporal continuity, spatial and emotional continuity. Not purely technical, this course will also discuss the psychological and emotional effects that editing choices can have on the story.
Additionally, students will learn to operate DaVinci Resolve editing software that they will use to edit their own exercises.
Open Edit is a time set aside for the students to edit, under the virtual guidance of their Editing instructor, their own footage shot the previous day.
Editing is broken down into 3 subclasses: Theory of Editing, Working with DaVinci Resolve and Sound Design in DaVinci
Screenwriting
The Screenwriting portion of the course adheres to the philosophy that good directing cannot occur without a well-written script. The course is designed to lay the foundational understanding of dramatic structure, which is essential to writing an engaging script.
Students will write a treatment and logline for their script, and explore plot line development, screenplay format, the creation of believable characters with narrative arcs, and how to write effective dialogue.
Sound Design
This film course introduces the student to the world of sound design and sound recording, detailing the process of sound design by providing concepts, technical information, and equipment demonstration.
Projects/Exercises
- Continuity Exercise: Students will design 5 to 7 shots to break down an action or series of actions, while maintaining the illusion of spatial, temporal and emotional continuity. 1 to 2 minutes in duration.
- Music & Montage: This project introduces students to the relationship between sound and film, as well as to narrative tools like montage, jump cuts and elaboration. In this project, students are encouraged to explore a more personal form of visual storytelling. Students choose a piece of music, and in the editing room, they cut their images to work in concert with, or in counterpoint to, the music. Students are encouraged to experiment with rhythm and pacing. 2-4 minutes in duration.
- Final Film: The final film of the 15-week Filmmaking Workshop is more ambitious in scope than the previous exercises. It builds upon the foundation of skills and knowledge gained in the first half of the workshop.
Films may be of any genre, and can be narrative, documentary, or experimental. In past years, many of these films have been selected and won awards at film festivals, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Before any student can shoot they must first complete a production book that includes the following:
- Statement of Objective: Idea of the film and stylistic approach in a concise statement.
- Scenario: Shooting script, shot lists, floor plan and shooting schedule.
Each film project is screened in a rough cut version in class for discussion and critique. These screenings are an important part of the learning process and help students improve on their film cut. 3-10 minutes in duration.
Program and Software requirements
- DaVinci Resolve (free download)
- Laptop or desktop computer with minimum specs for editing with DaVinci Resolve 16
- Smartphone with a camera
Suggested Resources
- FiLMiC Pro App for mobile cinematography (approximately $14.99)
- External hard drive (optional), cost $30-$200
8-WEEK ONLINE FILM DIRECTING
Tuition: $2,700 (USD)
Please note: All other 8-Week Online workshops are 160 hours and priced at $3,600.
This particular 8-Week program is 120 hours hence the lower cost.
Program Schedule
- Two x 2-hour classes per day Monday-Friday for the first four weeks (80 total hours).
- One x 2-hour class per day in the remaining four weeks (40 total hours).
- Some days during the second month will be dedicated to self guided preparation, shooting and editing with no scheduled classes.
- All classes are scheduled for 12pm-2pm and/or 3pm-5pm EST.
- Total hours is 120 hours.
About the Program
Designed for people who wish to study the craft of filmmaking in an intensive environment, the 8-Week Online Filmmaking Workshop challenges students to produce five films over a period of two months.
For students with little or no filmmaking experience, the 8-Week Online Filmmaking Workshop offers the best of all worlds: focused learning with working industry experts and the opportunity to make a fully-realized final film.
The program is divided between online classes, consultations and the production by each student of a series of short films of increasing difficulty. Following production and post-production of each film, students screen their work for their classmates and instructors engaging in critique and discussion.
The first month of the program is dedicated to laying the foundational skills necessary for effective and compelling filmmaking. It is during this intensive period the first four film exercises are completed.
During the second month of the program each student writes, directs, and edits a final film of up to ten minutes. Students have a pre-production period to cast, scout locations, plan their final films and meet with instructors for one-on-one consultation.
Prerequisites – Because all short-term Filmmaking workshops start at the introductory level no prerequisites are required nor any prior experience expected.
Weekly Breakdown/Focus
- Week 1: Intro to the Language of Cinema
- Week 2: Continuity and Shot Design
- Practicum: Continuity Exercise
- Week 3: Elements of Story, Pacing & Rhythm
- Practicum: Music & Montage Exercise
- Week 4: Understanding Dialogue & Directing the Performance
- Practicum: Subtext Exercise
- Week 5-8: Preproduction, Production and Post Final Film
Film Directing Class Descriptions
Director’s Craft: 30 Total Sessions
The core of any Filmmaking Program, Director’s Craft introduces students to the fundamentals of directing a film. As directors, students will focus on the essentials of visual storytelling. They will learn concepts to help achieve maximum psychological impact by studying the director’s decisions in camera placement, blocking, staging, and visual image design.
Upon successful completion of this portion of the course, students will be able to create a floor plan, shot list, and shooting schedule. They will also be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the components of designing a shot, create and direct the dramatic beats in a script.
Director’s Craft is broken down into 5 subclasses: Directors Craft (11 sessions), Screen & Critique (6 sessions), Directing Actors (3 sessions), Prepro Meetings (5 sessions), Producing for Directors (3 Sessions) and Production Design (2 sessions).
Cinematography: 8 Total Sessions
This course is designed to introduce the student to the art of cinematography enabling the film director to make informed choices. In addition to introducing the students to the principles of photography as applied to the moving image it will also cover fundamental lighting techniques. They learn how to support the story with appropriate lighting choices. This includes using non traditional/professional lighting equipment, learning how to what is available in a safe and creative manner.
Cinematography is broken down into the following subclasses: Image & Style (2 sessions), Understanding the Moving Image (2 sessions), Principles of Lighting (2 sessions) and Guerilla Lighting (1 session), and Screen & Critique (1 sessions, this class is co-taught with the Prod Design instructor).
Editing: 9 Total Sessions
This area of study presents students with multiple aesthetic approaches to editing video. Students will learn how to apply concepts such as temporal continuity, spatial and emotional continuity. Not purely technical this course will also discuss the psychological and emotional effects of editing on the overall story.
Additionally, students will learn to operate DaVinci Resolve editing software that they will use to edit their own exercises.
Open Edit is a time set aside for the students to edit their own footage shot the previous day under the virtual guidance of their Editing instructor.
Editing broken down into 3 subclasses: Theory of Editing (1 session), Working with DaVinci Resolve (5 sessions), Sound Design in DaVinci (2 session), Intro to Color Correction (1 session).
Screenwriting: 10 Total Sessions
The Screenwriting portion of the course adheres to the philosophy that good directing cannot occur without a well-written script. The course is designed to lay the foundational understanding of dramatic structure, which is essential to writing an engaging script.
Also included in the course is writing a treatment and logline, developing plot lines, screenplay format, creating believable characters with complete narrative arcs and writing effective dialogue.
Screenwriting is not broken down into subcategories.
Sound Design: 2 Total Session
This film course introduces the student to the world of sound design and sound recording, detailing the process of sound design by providing concepts, technical information, and equipment demonstration.
Sound Design is broken down into 2 subclasses: The Importance of Sound (1 session) and Intro to Sound Recording (1 session)
Projects/Exercises
Mis-en-scene: In their first film of the workshop, students are introduced to mise-en- scène, or directing a shot to visually tell a story. Once they create a dramatic moment, they concentrate on the dynamics of the shot that will best express it. This project teaches students how the relationship between the subject and the camera creates drama. Each student designs and shoots a scene that has a beginning, middle, and end. Students will learn to pay close attention to the choice of lenses, camera distances, angles, movement, height and the blocking of subjects.
Since the story will be told within one long shot, it must be staged to express as much as possible about the characters and their actions. Students should rehearse the shot for blocking of actors and camera until the scene works without needing to stop; only then should they “roll camera”. 1 to 2 minutes in duration.
Continuity Exercise:Continuity is one of the fundamental principles of modern filmmaking. By making a “continuity film,” students learn the way edits can advance the story while sustaining the reality of the scene, and the difference between “film time” and “real time.” Students are challenged to make a film that maintains continuity in story, time, space and emotion. The action in these films unfolds utilizing a variety of shots (10–15) in a continuous sequence (no jumps in time or action).
In the Continuity Films, students must produce a clear, visual scene while maintaining the authenticity of the moment. Students write, direct, shoot, edit, and screen a film of up to three minutes. Students must thoroughly pre-plan and complete a series of essential pre-production elements including script, location scouting, shot list, floor plan, and shooting schedule. 1 to 2 minutes in duration.
Music & Montage: This project introduces students to the relationship between sound and film, as well as to narrative tools like montage, jump cuts and elaboration.
In this project, students are encouraged to explore a more personal form of visual storytelling. Students choose a piece of music, and in the editing room, they cut their images to work in concert with, or in counterpoint to, the music. Students are encouraged to experiment with rhythm and pacing. 2-4 minutes in duration.
Subtext Film: This project challenges students to explore the relationship between dialogue and dramatic action. It serves as the student’s first foray into directing a film with dialogue. Students are provided with short dialogue-only scripts with no description of physical detail or action. The student director determines the "who, what, where, when, and why" of the story. Above all, each student director must identify the characters’ objectives and dramatic beats of the scene.
Students will learn how these elements determine the meaning of the dialogue and should deepen their understanding of text versus subtext. When the finished projects are screened in class for critique, students will discover how different directorial interpretations of the same scene reveal the characters and the impact and meaning of the story. 1 minute in duration.
Final Film: This final film of the workshop is more ambitious in scope than the previous exercises. It builds upon the foundation of skills and knowledge gained in the first half of the workshop.
Each student must complete a production book that includes the following:
Statement of Objective: Idea of the film and stylistic approach in a concise statement.
Scenario: Shooting script, lined script, shot lists, floor plan, shooting schedule and visual strategy guide.
There is one week of post-production in which each student may edit from 20-30 hours. Students may use sound effects, music, voiceover, and ambient sound to help tell their stories. They apply the lessons learned through editing the first four projects as they utilize the many transition tools, special effects, and sound design options that digital editing allows.
Each film project is screened in a rough cut version in class for discussion and critique. These screenings are an important part of the learning process and help students improve on their film cut. There is a group screening during the graduation celebrating all final films. 5 to 10 minutes in duration.
Program Requirements:
- A camera (cell phone camera will suffice)
- DaVinci Resolve Editing Software (no additional student cost)
- Laptop with minimum specs for editing (see table below)
|
Minimum specifications |
Recommended specifications |
| Processor |
Intel® 6thGen or newer CPU |
Intel® 6thGen or newer CPU |
| Operating system |
macOS v10.13 or later |
macOS v10.13 or later |
| macOS v10.13 or later RAM |
8 GB of RAM |
16 GB of RAM for HD media
32 GB for 4K media or higher
|
| GPU |
2 GB of GPU VRAM |
4 GB of GPU VRAM |
| Hard disk space |
8 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (will not install on a volume that uses a case sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices).
Additional high-speed drive for media
|
Fast internal SSD for app installation and cache
Additional high-speed drive(s) for media
|
| Monitor resolution |
1280 x 800 |
1920 x 1080 or greater |
| Network storage connection |
1 Gigabit Ethernet (HD only) |
|
4-WEEK ONLINE FILM DIRECTING
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This workshop focuses on how a filmmaker writes, preps for and directs a short film while focusing on the fact that good storytelling is never about the technology but rather the story and the acting.
Through a series of online lectures and guided exercises this workshop will cover the tools available to help implement the Director’s vision in the unique narrative structure of the short film they write. Examined in depth this course covers including but is not limited to the necessary elements that make a good scene/story, how a director breaks down the written word into visual shots and creates point of view, getting good performances from the actors and designing a visual strategy for their story.
Students participate in a series of lectures, discussions, and in-class screenings to further hone their understanding of the art and craft of directing. This class has a special focus on pre-production and the elements of visual storytelling. A coherent visual approach to each proposed film should be arrived at by course end.
Prerequisites – Because all short-term Filmmaking workshops start at the introductory level no prerequisites are required nor any prior experience expected.
Weekly Breakdown/Focus
- Week 1: Intro to the Language of Cinema
- Intro to the Language of Cinema
- Week 2: Continuity and Shot Design
- Practicum: Continuity Exercise
- Week 3: Elements of Story, Pacing & Rhythm
- Practicum: Music & Montage Exercise
- Week 4: Putting it all together
- Practicum: Polished cut of Music & Montage Exercise
- Practicum: Visual Director’s Prepro Book
Film Directing Class Descriptions
Director’s Craft
The core of the Four-Week Program, Director’s Craft introduces students to the fundamentals of directing a film. As directors, students will focus on the essentials of visual storytelling. They will learn concepts to help achieve maximum psychological impact by studying the director’s decisions in camera placement, blocking, staging, and visual image design.
Upon successful completion of this portion of the course, students will be able to create a floor plan, shot list, and shooting schedule. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the components of designing a shot, create and direct the dramatic beats in a script.
Director’s Craft is broken down into subclasses: Directors Craft, Screen & Critique, Directing Actors, Prepro Meetings, Producing for Directors and Production Design.
Cinematography
This course is designed to introduce the student to the art of cinematography enabling the film director to make informed choices. In addition to introducing the students to the principles of photography as applied to the moving image it will also cover fundamental lighting techniques. They learn how to support the story with appropriate lighting choices. This includes using non traditional/professional lighting equipment, learning how to what is available in a safe and creative manner.
Editing
This area of study presents students with multiple aesthetic approaches to editing video. Students will learn how to apply concepts such as temporal continuity, spatial and emotional continuity. Not purely technical this course will also discuss the psychological and emotional effects of editing on the overall story.
Additionally, students will learn to operate DaVinci Resolve editing software that they will use to edit their own exercises.
Open Edit is a time set aside for the students to edit their own footage shot the previous day under the virtual guidance of their Editing instructor.
Editing broken down into 3 subclasses: Theory of Editing, Working with DaVinci Resolve, Sound Design in DaVinci and Intro to Color Correction.
Screenwriting
The Screenwriting portion of the course adheres to the philosophy that good directing cannot occur without a well-written script. The course is designed to lay the foundational understanding of dramatic structure, which is essential to writing an engaging script.
Also included in the course is writing a treatment and logline, developing plot lines, screenplay format, and creating believable characters with complete narrative arcs.
Sound Design
This film course introduces the student to the world of sound design, detailing the process of sound design by providing concepts, technical information, and examples of how sound is used in cinema.
Projects/Exercises
Mis-en-scene: In their first film of the workshop, students are introduced to mise-en- scène, or directing a shot to visually tell a story. Once they create a dramatic moment, they concentrate on the dynamics of the shot that will best express it. This project teaches students how the relationship between the subject and the camera creates drama. Each student designs and shoots a scene that has a beginning, middle, and end. Students will learn to pay close attention to the choice of lenses, camera distances, angles, movement, height and the blocking of subjects.
Since the story will be told within one long shot, it must be staged to express as much as possible about the characters and their actions. Students should rehearse the shot for blocking of actors and camera until the scene works without needing to stop; only then should they “roll camera”. 1 to 2 minutes in duration.
Continuity Exercise: Continuity is one of the fundamental principles of modern filmmaking. By making a “continuity film,” students learn the way edits can advance the story while sustaining the reality of the scene, and the difference between “film time” and “real time.” Students are challenged to make a film that maintains continuity in story, time, space and emotion. The action in these films unfolds utilizing a variety of shots (10–15) in a continuous sequence (no jumps in time or action).
In the Continuity Films, students must produce a clear, visual scene while maintaining the authenticity of the moment. Students write, direct, shoot, edit, and screen a film of up to three minutes. Students must thoroughly pre-plan and complete a series of essential pre-production elements including script, location scouting, shot list, floor plan, and shooting schedule. 1 to 2 minutes in duration.
Music & Montage: This project introduces students to the relationship between sound and film, as well as to narrative tools like montage, jump cuts and elaboration.
In this project, students are encouraged to explore a more personal form of visual storytelling. Students choose a piece of music, and in the editing room, they cut their images to work in concert with, or in counterpoint to, the music. Students are encouraged to experiment with rhythm and pacing. 2-4 minutes in duration.
Each film project is screened in a rough cut version in class for discussion and critique. These screenings are an important part of the learning process and help students improve on their film cut. There is a group screening during the graduation celebrating all Music & Montage films.
|
Minimum specifications |
Recommended specifications |
| Processor |
Intel® 6thGen or newer CPU |
Intel® 6thGen or newer CPU |
| Operating system |
macOS v10.13 or later |
macOS v10.13 or later |
| macOS v10.13 or later RAM |
8 GB of RAM |
16 GB of RAM for HD media
32 GB for 4K media or higher
|
| GPU |
2 GB of GPU VRAM |
4 GB of GPU VRAM |
| Hard disk space |
8 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (will not install on a volume that uses a case sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices).
Additional high-speed drive for media
|
Fast internal SSD for app installation and cache
Additional high-speed drive(s) for media
|
| Monitor resolution |
1280 x 800 |
1920 x 1080 or greater |
| Network storage connection |
1 Gigabit Ethernet (HD only) |
|
1-WEEK ONLINE FILMMAKING
Tuition: $450 (USD)
The 1-Week Online Filmmaking Workshop is the most intensive, instructional one-week program in filmmaking that can be found at any film school. In one short week, students are instructed in the basics of writing, directing, cinematography and digital editing. Each student writes, directs, shoots, and edits a short film project.
The pace of this 1-Week course is feverish, and students must be prepared to live and breathe filmmaking for the duration of the workshop. The 1-Week workshop was designed to serve the needs of a variety of students, yet through online classes and exercises, all students gain an understanding of the requirements and rigors of filmmaking, as well as experience the exhilaration of seeing a completed project.
For some, the workshop is an opportunity to see if filmmaking is the appropriate craft for them.
All students enrolling in the 1-Week Online Filmmaking workshop should be aware that this is an introductory course. The limitations of a one-week course should be apparent, given that many people spend years studying film and perfecting their craft. While the 1-Week Online Filmmaking workshop is not meant to be a substitute for longer-term programs, many students have made excellent projects and decided to pursue movie making in the future.
Program and Software Requirements
- To complete the assigned project, the student will edit using DaVinci Resolve, which can be downloaded free of charge.
- Students will also need a camera capable of recording video, in this course a mobile device will suffice.
1-Week Online Filmmaking Class Descriptions
Director’s Craft
The core of any Filmmaking Program, Director’s Craft introduces students to the fundamentals of directing a film. As directors, students will focus on the essentials of visual storytelling. They will learn concepts to help achieve maximum psychological impact by studying the director’s decisions in camera placement, blocking, staging, and visual image design.
Upon successful completion of this portion of the course, students will be able to create a floor plan, shot list, and shooting schedule.
Director’s Craft is broken down into 4 subclasses: Directors Craft, Screen & Critique, Directing Actors and Prepro Meeting.
Cinematography
This course is designed to introduce the student to the art of cinematography enabling the film director to make informed choices. In addition to introducing the students to the principles of photography as applied to the moving image it will also cover fundamental lighting techniques. They learn how to support the story with appropriate lighting choices. This includes using non traditional/professional lighting equipment, learning how to what is available in a safe and creative manner.
Cinematography is broken down into the following subclasses: Image & Style and Principles of Lighting.
Editing
This area of study presents students with multiple aesthetic approaches to editing video. Students will learn how to apply concepts such as temporal continuity, spatial and emotional continuity. Not purely technical this course will also discuss the psychological and emotional effects of editing on the overall story.
Additionally, students will learn to operate DaVinci Resolve editing software that they will use to edit their own exercises.
Open Edit is a time set aside for the students to edit their own footage shot the previous day under the virtual guidance of their Editing instructor.
Editing is broken down into 2 subclasses: Intro to Editing and Open Edit.
Screenwriting
The Screenwriting portion of the course adheres to the philosophy that good directing cannot occur without a well-written script. The course is designed to lay the foundational understanding of dramatic structure, which is essential to writing an engaging script.
Check, the second session, tasks the students with pitching their story ideas to their instructor and classmates for the purpose of receiving feedback on the concept and feasibility of shooting the story given the time allotted and resources available.
Screenwriting is broken down into 2 subclasses: Intro to Story and Story Check.
Projects/Exercises
Continuity Exercise: 5 to 7 shot exercise breaking down an action or series of actions into different shots while maintaining the illusion of spatial, temporal and emotional continuity. 1 to 2 minutes in duration. This filming of this project is scheduled for late afternoon/early evening on Friday.
1-WEEK ONLINE DIRECTING ACTORS
Tuition: $450 (USD)
The One Week Online Directing Actors focuses on techniques that will enable the director to help his/her actors create authentic characters and performances. Beyond the use of visual storytelling language, camera and lens choices, narrative structure and the director’s vision is the relationship between actor and director. The ability to communicate effectively with actors is fundamental to directing and to the director’s craft.
The ultimate goal of this program is to help the director develop skills that will help him/her work with actors as effective collaborators.
Students will participate in a series of online lectures, discussions and in class acting and directing exercises in order to create an experiential hands-on virtual learning environment. Topics examined during the course are:
- The fundamentals of good acting and how the director can guide the actor towards a believable performance for the camera.
- The language the director uses in order to create playable actions for the actors.
- The casting process and auditions.
- The goals of rehearsal and the elements necessary to create an effective rehearsal plan.
- Techniques to use to adjust an actor’s performance on set during production.
Students Learning Outcomes:
- The specific requirements that make acting for the camera different than any other form of acting.
- The shift required in the actor for acting in each shot size (wide shots to close ups).
- The language of directing: a shift from result-oriented direction to the use of verbs in order to help actors create playable actions.
- Directing subtext and how to help the actor discover what’s beneath the text.
- Creating a through line for the actor when shooting out of sequence.
- The Actor’s Process: Emotional Preparation and Sense Memory Work and how the actor uses these to create character.
- The use of improvisation as a directing actor’s tool.
1-Week Online Directing Actors Class Descriptions
Day One
- Session One: Introduction to Directing Actors and the language directors use when working with actors.
- Session Two: Acting the MOS (non-dialogue films, reaction shots, inner monologues, on camera active listening skills).
Day Two
- Session One: Working with subtext, given circumstances, objectives, beat changes and how it applies to text and directing.
- Session Two: Directing and acting in contentless scenes after supplying given circumstances, beat changes and objectives.
Day Three
- Session One: Creating character.
- Session Two: Working with monologues on camera and providing adjustments to the actor (classmates).
Day Four
- Session One: Exploring the goals of rehearsal: getting the actors to communicate honestly with each other and to find a way to communicate with the director. In class work will include practicing rehearsal techniques
- Session Two: The casting process. Effectively using virtual auditions and self-submissions for casting.
Day Five
- Session One: Identifying acting problems and providing actors on set adjustments.
- Session Two: Closing Discussion.
15-WEEK ONLINE CINEMATOGRAPHY
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This 15-Week workshop follows the same curriculum as the 4-week workshops but is spread over fifteen weeks. It’s designed to meet the needs of students who have other commitments.
This workshop is focused on understanding the basic principles of cinematography with a combination of online lectures, analysis of the history of cinematography, camera and basic lighting technology and techniques, including an introduction to editing and color correction using Davinci Resolve.
The students will test what they learn during the online lectures with 3 exercises that are designed to be realized even in isolation, if required by local health conditions, using a digital camera of their own possession, including a cell phone if nothing else is available.
Program and Software Requirements
- Computer: Mac, Windows or Linux based computer with the capacity of running Davinci Resolve on it and with webcam
- Internet access in order to follow the online classes live and interact with instructors and classmates
- Software: Davinci Resolve 16 Lite, free software downloadable at https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/
- Camera: Any camera will do for the program, even a cellphone. We suggest, but not require, apps like Filmic Pro to be able to control manually the functions of the video camera of the phone.
Class Breakdown
- Cinematographer’s Craft - 9 Classes
- History Of Cinematography - 3 Classes
- Camera - 2 Classes
- Lighting & Grip - 3 Classes
- Editing
- Editing On Davinci Resolve - 3 Classes
- Basic Elements Of Color Correction - 3 Classes
- Production Lab - 6 Classes
- Screen And Review - 3 Classes
15-Week Online Cinematography Class Descriptions
Cinematographer’s Craft
This class will provide the basic elements of Cinematography, including but not limited to the basic principles of Cinematography, an introduction to visual storytelling, an analysis of how shots are used to build a narrative or documentary sequence, the basic elements of Montage and a deeper analysis into painting with lights.
History of Cinematography
This class analyzes the evolution of cinematography along the history of cinema, pointing out trends and historically relevant turning points in style (film noir, the introduction of color, etc.). A list of films, easy to find online and representing a wide range of cinematographer’s styles, gender and ethnicity, will be distributed to the student for watching on their own time. Each student will choose 6 movies from this list to watch and analyze.
Camera
This class will introduce the basic characteristics in a digital camera and the main settings, common to most digital cameras, using a Sony FS5 as example. Advanced digital cinema cameras will be introduced using a Red Dragon as an example. The course will also provide an excursus on the evolution of Digital Cinema.
Lighting and Grip
Lighting and Grip class will present lighting principles and examples via live demonstrations of how to create basic lighting setups. During Guerrilla Lighting students will be introduced to examples of lights that are of easy build using common materials.
Editing
This class will introduce digital editing capacities of Davinci Resolve, allowing the students to receive a basic editing training, and also will guide the students to understand the basic principles of color correction and postproduction.
Production Lab
This class will guide the students on producing and developing their 3 personal projects within the respect of social distancing and isolation rules. During the online course they will create a Composition, a Continuity and a Montage project, each one of them following a different set of rules and instructions.
Screen and Review
This class provides feedback to the students on their personal projects and analyzes their choices and approaches.
Projects/Exercises
- Composition: As directed during the Production Lab prep class the students will create a series of shots to practice and test the knowledge of composition and the technical elements of cinematography (focus, exposure, color, basic camera movements).
- Continuity: The student will create a small scene, within the space safely accessible to them, in which they will use different framing, angles of view and available or artificial light to build the narrative. Could be fictional (ex: a mystery presence in the room) or documentary (ex: a family member/partner baking a cake
- Montage: For their final film, the students will pick an abstract concept (ex: fear, excitement, love, solitude, etc.) and, within their safe space, film images that will describe it visually either on their own or combined with others. The project focuses less on the narrative aspect of filmmaking and more on the capacity of cinematography to deliver a subtext of significance to otherwise unrelated images.
8-WEEK ONLINE CINEMATOGRAPHY
Tuition: $3,600 (USD)
The first four weeks of the workshop are focused on understanding the basic principles of cinematography, and will include the analysis of the history of cinematography, camera and basic lighting technology and techniques, and an introduction to editing and color correction using Davinci Resolve.
The students will test what they learn during the first four weeks through three exercises that are designed to be executed using any digital camera of their own, including a cell phone.
The last four weeks of the program will offer more advanced study of Cinematography and will include a composition lab, live demonstrations of lighting techniques and approaches, analysis of movies by their cinematographers, an introduction to art direction and its relationship to cinematography, advanced color correction and an introduction to compositing and visual effects (VFX).
During weeks five to eight, students will develop a brief short film with the guidance of their directing/screenwriting instructor that will then be shot as their final project.
Program and Software Requirements
- Computer: Mac, Windows or Linux based computer with the capacity of running Davinci Resolve on it and with webcam
- Internet access in order to follow the online classes live and interact with instructors and classmates
- Software: Davinci Resolve 16 Lite, free software downloadable at https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/
- Camera: Any camera will do for the program, even a cellphone. We suggest, but not require, apps like Filmic Pro to be able to control manually the functions of the videocamera of the phone.
8-Week Online Cinematography Class Descriptions
Cinematographer’s Craft
This class will provide the basic elements of cinematography, including but not limited to the basic principles of Cinematography, an introduction to visual storytelling, an analysis of how shots are used to build a narrative or documentary sequence, the basic elements of Montage, a deeper analysis into painting with lights, a study of color science and an introduction to digital and analog monitoring of the image and the light.
History of Cinematography
Students will analyze the evolution of cinematography, examine trends and historically relevant turning points in style (film noir, the introduction of color, etc.).
Students will be provided with a list of films, easy to find online, that represent a wide range of cinematographic styles to watch on their own time. Each student will choose 3 movies from this list to analyze.
Camera
This class will introduce the basic characteristics of digital cameras and the main settings, common to most digital cameras. Advanced digital cinema cameras will be introduced using a Red Dragon as an example. The course will also provide an overview of the evolution of digital cinema.
Composition Lab
This class focuses on visual composition and style. Each class will introduce different aspects of composition and framing, using relevant examples from movies, art and photography. Students will be assigned homework that will be reviewed and critiqued in the subsequent class.
Lighting and Grip
Through live demonstrations, lighting principles and basic lighting set ups are taught. Students will explore lighting techniques that are easy to employ using common materials.
Advanced Lighting and Grip
Students are introduced to lighting and grip equipment necessary for cinematic production and the Production Workshops class. Students will examine the equipment necessary for both high and low key looks, and the use of both practical and artificial lighting elements. Additionally, students are introduced to the basic technologies of green screen photography.
Production workshops
In Production Workshops, instructors demonstrate live, with the help of teaching assistants, lighting and grip techniques using the equipment introduced in Advanced Lighting and Grip. Workshops focus on different styles and approaches to cinematography. The 4 workshops will cover lighting for comedy (high key), lighting the film noir (low key), lighting in a mixed environment (practical and artificial light), lighting the green screen.
Art direction for cinematographers
This class examines the necessary synergy between art direction and cinematography.
Editing
Students receive basic editing training with Davinci Resolve. The course will focus on basic and advanced color correction techniques. Compositing and VFX classes will use the material produced during the green screen workshop.
Production Lab
In Production lab students are guided through the development of their 3 personal projects. During the first 4 weeks they will create a Composition, a Continuity and a Montage project, each project employing a new set of rules and instructions. During the second half of the course, students focus on the final project, a short narrative or doc film of 4 to 7 minutes.
Production Lab – Writing
In this writing class, students learn the basics of writing and reading a screenplay, and develop their scripts for their final projects.
Screen and Review
Students receive feedback on their personal projects and analyze their choices and approaches.
Student Projects:
Composition
As directed during the Production Lab prep class the students will create a series of shots to practice and test the knowledge of composition and the technical elements of cinematography (focus, exposure, color, basic camera movements).
Continuity
The student will create a small scene in which they will use different framing, angles of view and available or artificial light to build the narrative. The scene may be fictional (ex: a mystery presence in the room) or documentary (ex: a family member/partner baking a cake)
Montage
For their third film, the students will pick an abstract concept (ex: fear, excitement, love, solitude, etc.) and film images that describe the concept visually. The project focuses less on the narrative aspect of filmmaking and more on the capacity of cinematography to deliver a subtext of significance to otherwise unrelated images.
Final Short Film
The final short film is a narrative or doc project of 4 to 7 minutes, involving multiple scenes, a variety of lighting and stylistic approaches.
4-WEEK ONLINE CINEMATOGRAPHY
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This workshop is focused on understanding the basic principles of cinematography with a combination of online lectures, analysis of the history of cinematography, camera and basic lighting technology and techniques, including an introduction to editing and color correction using Davinci Resolve (free download available).
The students will test what they learn during the online lectures with 3 exercises that are designed to be realized using a digital camera of their own possession, including a cell phone if nothing else is available.
Projects are:
- Composition: As directed during the Production Lab prep class the students will create a series of shots to practice and test the knowledge of composition and the technical elements of cinematography (focus, exposure, color, basic camera movements).
- Continuity: The student will create a small scene, within a space that is safely accessible to them, in which they will use different framing, angles of view and available or self-made light to build the narrative. Could be fictional (ex: a mystery presence in the room) or documentary (ex: a family member/partner baking a cake)
- Montage: For their final film, the students will pick an abstract concept (ex: fear, excitement, love, solitude, etc.) and film images that will describe it visually either on their own or combined with others. The project focuses less on the narrative aspect of filmmaking and more on the capacity of cinematography to deliver a subtext of significance to otherwise unrelated images.
Cinematography Class Descriptions
Cinematographer’s Craft
This class will provide the basic elements of cinematography, including but not limited to the basic principles of Cinematography, an introduction to visual storytelling, an analysis of how shots are used to build a narrative or documentary sequence, the basic elements of Montage and a deeper analysis into painting with lights.
History of Cinematography
History of Cinematography analyzes the evolution of cinematography along the history of cinema, pointing out trends and historically relevant turning points in style (film noir, the introduction of color, etc.). A list of films, easy to find online, will be distributed to the student for watching on their own time.
Camera
This will introduce the basic characteristics in a digital camera and the main settings, common to most digital cameras, using a Sony FS5 as an example. It will also introduce advanced digital cameras, using a Red Dragon as example, to present the differences in quality and structure of modern Digital Cinema Cameras.
Lighting and Grip
Lighting and Grip class will present basic lighting principles and examples via live demonstrations of how to create basic lighting setups and to control the light using flags and other grip elements.
Editing
This class will introduce digital editing capacities of Davinci Resolve, allowing the students to receive a basic editing training, and also will guide the students to understand the basic principles of color correction and post production.
Production Lab
This will guide the students on producing and developing their 3 personal projects within the respect of social distancing and isolation rules. During the online course they will create a Composition, a Mise En Scene and a Montage project, each one of them following a different set of rules and instructions.
Screen and Review
This class provides feedback to the students on their personal projects and analyze their choices and approaches.
15-WEEK ONLINE PHOTOGRAPHY
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This 15-Week workshop follows the same curriculum as the 4-week workshops but is spread over fifteen weeks. It’s designed to meet the needs of students who have other commitments.
This 15-Week Online Digital Photography Workshop is an intensive exploration of photography in the digital age. Photo Arts Conservatory students are immersed in the art and craft of still photography, are introduced to the tools necessary to capture great images, and learn to refine them through digital imaging.
Photography students at New York Film Academy develop the skills necessary to research, compose, and capture digital photographic projects in hands-on courses. Students are encouraged to be creative, and are taught to think of each project as a concise statement of artistic and aesthetic intent. They expand their repertoire of techniques as they explore practical sources of light and shadow.
No prior experience is required to enroll in the 15-Week Digital Photography Workshop.
Please note: All students are required to bring a digital camera with manual exposure controls.
Program and Software Requirements
- A DSLR or mirrorless camera (either camera must have manual controls)
- A lens (any focal length)
- Adobe Lightroom Classic
- Adobe Photoshop
- Computer
Class Breakdown
- Week 1
- Class Session 1 – Photo
- Class Session 2 – Imaging
- Week 2
- Class Session 1 – Vision & Style
- Class Session 2 – Imaging
- Week 3
- Class Session 1 – Photo
- Class Session 2 – Imaging
- Week 4
- Class Session 1 – Vision & Style
- Class Session 2 – History of Photo
- Week 5
- Class Session 1 – Photo
- Class Session 2 – Imaging
- Week 6
- Class Session 1 – Vision & Style
- Class Session 2 – Imaging
- Week 6
- Class Session 1 – Vision & Style
- Class Session 2 – Imaging
- Week 7
- Class Session 1 – Photo
- Class Session 2 – Imaging
- Week 8
- Class Session 1 – Vision & Style
- Class Session 2 – History of Photo
- Week 9
- Class Session 1 – Photo
- Class Session 2 – Imaging
- Week 10
- Class Session 1 – Vision & Style
- Class Session 2 – Photo
- Week 11
- Class Session 1 – Photo
- Class Session 2 – Imaging
- Week 12
- Class Session 1 – Vision & Style
- Class Session 2 – History of Photo
- Week 13
- Class Session 1 – Photo
- Class Session 2 – Imaging
- Week 14
- Class Session 1 – Vision & Style
- Class Session 2 – Imaging
- Week 15
- Class Session 1 – Vision & Style
- Class Session 2 – Photo
15-Week Online Photography Class Descriptions
Photo
This core photography class includes lectures, demonstrations, shooting assignments, and in-class critique while challenging students to execute demanding professional-scale assignments including personal projects, fashion, beauty, still life, portraiture, editorial, complex composites, and more.
Imaging
In Imaging students learn to train their eyes to pre-visualize the possibilities latent in an image, to apply principles of color, and understand how the viewer “reads” an image in order to create photographs that will stand the test of time. This is done through the use of both Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop.
Vision & Style
With a focus on creative queries and challenges , students engage in long-term personal projects, and improve their visual literacy through engagement with and analysis of their fellow students’ work. This culminates in a final critique of either personal or commercial work.
History of Photography
Students study and analyze masterful photographers, not only by analyzing their distinct techniques, aesthetics, and approaches, but also by literally re-creating their images with precise attention to composition, lighting, gesture, format, and palette. Following this photography class, students are able to select the best methods by which to realize their own unique vision.
4-WEEK ONLINE PHOTOGRAPHY
Tuition: $1,800
This Online Photography workshop is constructed to deliver a great deal of content in a short time and is an exceptional opportunity for an intensive education in photography for four weeks. The course will cover Adobe Lightroom classic, camera operations, elements of exposure, the history of photography through 1960, and a deep dive into the creation of personal projects.
Classes: Photo 1, Imaging 1, Vision and Style, History of Photography
Students will need:
- A DSLR camera and lens (any focal length) that has manual controls
- Adobe Lightroom Classic (available for $10 per month)
- Computer
Photography Class Descriptions
Photo I
Photo I is the technical core of the curriculum, encompassing lecture, demonstration, shooting assignments, and critique. Students learn the mechanics of cameras and lenses as well as the components of exposure. Students are taught to be aware of the unique characteristics that light can take: direct, diffused, reflected, and tempered by atmosphere. In this course, students begin to understand the modern digital SLR and analyze digital capture’s pleasures (instant gratification) and pitfalls (generic, competent images). Every technique is practiced through individual
assignments, which are critiqued by faculty and peers.
Emphasis is placed on: developIng practical technical skills at handling modern digital SLR cameras and the ability to produce accurate exposures under a range of real-world conditions, developing a working ability to recognize and create dramatic exposures using natural light, and understanding the practical application of the components of exposure (sensitivity, aperture, shutter speed) under a wide variety of real-world shooting conditions.
Imaging I
This course is an intensive introduction to Adobe Lightroom Classic as a RAW digital editing and image library management system. Once immersed in Adobe Lightroom Classic, students acquire key digital darkroom techniques from nondestructive editing to unparalleled color and tonal control over an image. Students also learn the entire process of digital workflow, from RAW processing through output for advanced editing and web pages. Along with lectures and demonstrations, Imaging I allows for students to practice and perfect their image-editing skills.
Vision and Style
This course teaches students critical thinking skills, the visual language of photography, and pushes them to explore their personal interests in photography as they conceptualize, execute, refine, and critique. Students define and develop a personal, iconic visual style and specific area of interest, studying master bodies of work across many photographic genres. The primary focus is still photography. Students become familiar with principles of composition, color, editing, sequencing, and presentation through writing, journaling, research and photographic assignments. Students gain the level of self-awareness necessary to understand the most important origins of their ideas, and start to conceive how their work fits into the context of current photography practices and attitudes.
History of Photography
Intensive study, analysis, and critique of the work of master photographers, their techniques, aesthetics and approaches helps to equip students to choose the most effective means of realizing their own projects. In this course, the history of photography is studied from its beginning through to 1960. Students are guided to analyze the cultural and societal impact of photography, and the evolution of the medium from the original assumed veracity of photographs to the exploitation of the viewer’s acceptance of the photograph as truth, given the use of modern photographic manipulation with tools such as Photoshop. Additionally, students become intimately familiar with a particular photographer’s body of work through written research projects. Discussion topics include composition, traditional and non-conventional framing, color theory, design, semiotics (signs and symbols), the effect of technological changes on photography, the use and limitations of photography as a documentary and personal record, and the surprisingly long history of using viewer assumptions to distort the truth.
2-WEEK ONLINE IPHONOGRAPHY
Tuition: $900 (USD)
In this iPhoneography workshop, students will be able to explore photography with all the advantages, limitations, and unique qualities of the most used camera in the world: the phone camera.
As the camera people always carry with them, understanding how to maximize its potential is essential to capturing all of life’s moments.
- Students will learn basic principles of photography, which include: composition techniques, qualities of light, color, ISO, aperture, shutter speed.
- Students will learn the various shootings modes in default camera app: Photo, Portrait, and Panorama.
- Students will learn how to control exposure on default camera app on the Phone, as well as RAW capturing third party camera apps.
- Students will learn to do all post-processing of their images on their mobile phone.
- Students will learn about various editing apps, such as: VSCO, Tezza, SnapSeed, Lightroom Mobile, Huji, Hipstamatic, Facetune, ProCam, and Unfold.
- Students will learn how to light, direct, and capture portraits specifically for their mobile phone, with its limitations and unique qualities.
- Students will learn how to shoot and edit video directly on their phones.
- Students will explore all video functions on their mobile: time- lapse, slow-mo (multiple fps), and regular video (multiple fps).
- Students will learn how to shoot video for social media use (portrait- orientation).
- Students will learn how to use iMovie phone app, as well as the Quik app to edit their videos.
- Students will learn how to explore the street to tell a story. Advantages to shooting street on a discreet mobile, rather than DSLR.
- Students will learn how to develop a fine art concept image or series, and produce it.
- Students will learn how to tell a story visually.
- Students will learn how to create diptychs and triptychs to tell a story with multiple images.
- Students will learn how to photograph food to bring out texture and shape, exclusively on their mobile device.
- Students will learn traditional landscape techniques about time of day and perspective.
- Students will learn about communicating an emotion through a landscape.
Program and Software Requirements
- Students must have a Smartphone with a Camera
- Mobile app downloads:
- $1.99/monthly Tezza subscription (editing app)
- $8.99 one time purchase for ProCamera. (optional)
2-Week Online iPhonography Class Descriptions
Week 1
- Built-in phone camera app and its photo features.
- Understanding and controlling exposure. Manual mode in third party apps (listed below).
- Composition techniques.
- Using color.
- Explore various editing apps so each student can pick their preferred workflow for the rest of the program.
Week 2
- Portraiture. Lighting tricks and directing techniques. Editing for portraiture.
- Video. Built-in phone video features, as well as video editing applications. Learn how to tell stories with movement.
- Fine art. Explore conceptual work, photo series, still life.
- Food. Cook and shoot class for commercial and blog photography.
- Street. Watch clips from Vivian Maier documentary. Learn how to document the world and find unique perspectives (indoors or outdoors).
- Landscape (if safe by time of program release). Traditional techniques. Learn how to communicate emotions through a landscape. Angles and light.
15-WEEK ONLINE PRODUCING
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This 15-Week workshop follows the same curriculum as the 4-week workshops but is spread over fifteen weeks. It’s designed to meet the needs of students who have other commitments.
Schedule Options
The program is offered for two different time zone options. Click here for the
two options.
Workshop Description
This Online Workshop gives students a comprehensive overview of the entire producing for film and television process. Courses include: Producer's Craft (explores every aspect of Creative Producing), Line Producing (students learn the elements of production management, including budgeting and scheduling), Pitching (an essential producing skill), Entertainment Law, Film Finance, Film Festival Strategies, as well as an introduction to the various crafts of filmmaking including: Screenwriting, Directing, Camera/Lighting, Sound and Editing. Graduates of the program will gain practical and pragmatic skills, tools, and knowledge, enabling them to develop and hone necessary skills for a career in the film and television industry.
There are no prerequisites for this Workshop.
Program and Software Requirements
Students are required to purchase Movie Magic Scheduling and Movie Magic Budgeting software, at a cost of $150/each, using the special NYFA discount code, at the start of the program. Total additional cost is $300. Students own the software in perpetuity following the conclusion of the Workshop
15-Week Online Producing Class Description
Producer’s Craft
Explores every aspect of the Producing process: from identifying ideas through the development of scripts, assembling commercially viable packages, as well as financing, production, marketing, and distribution. Through lecture, discussion of industry developments, handouts and individual research assignments, Producer’s Craft lays the groundwork for a profession as a Creative Producer.
Line Producing
Students learn about the physical aspects of production: scheduling and budgeting, crew descriptions, paperwork and reporting mechanisms (permits, call sheets, production reports), pay rates, working with unions, insurance guidelines, and more. Students are instructed in the use of Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting software, widely recognized as the industry standard.
Pitching
An essential producing skill, students learn the appropriate pitching techniques for a variety of meetings and settings. Each student will practice and gain critical and fundamental pitching skills, including writing effective loglines, identifying the audience, and perfecting the pitch.
Entertainment Law
Producers must feel comfortable around contracts, and all of the legal aspects of the producing process. This course is an overview of contract law and how it impacts the entertainment industry. Producing students will study legal issues regarding television, films, recordings, live performances and other aspects of the entertainment industry; including copyright, intellectual property, talent representation, and financing/distribution arrangements.
Story and Screenwriting
Producers play a key role in the development of scripts. Students will gain firsthand knowledge of fundamental screenwriting elements such as: structure, conflict, character, premise, plot, and thematic point of view. They will gain insight into working with writers, story analysis, and overall management of the development process.
Film Finance
This course focuses on successful strategies employed in the finance of studio and independent films. Topics include: equity investment, sales agents, foreign territories, pre–sales, gap financing, production incentives, subsidies and government funds, as well as the revenue waterfall, i.e. how investors get their money back.
TV Industry Overview
An introduction to the way television is developed, produced and sold. Covering diverse topics such the roles of various TV producers, Reality TV, Licensing and Syndication, deficit financing, TV packaging, TV Studios, Pilot season, The Upfront, Nielson ratings, Product integration, the foreign TV market and Old vs. New TV business models, including streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.
Film Festival Strategies
With the proliferation of film festivals around the world, this course will offer an opportunity at a “low cost” option for the submission of their films and a means to develop a film community of their own. Film Festivals are expanding as the technology explodes in the digital universe. Topics include festival selection, social media campaigns, case study of a specific film to examine the process of working the festival circuit, and achieving potential distribution deals.
Case Studies
This course will use specific in-depth examples of an already produced project to introduce students to the specific issues, problems, and solutions of the development, financing, pre-production, production, post production, distribution, and exhibition of studio and independent films.
Film Crafts
Producers must have a fundamental understanding of the various crafts involved in the filmmaking process:
- Intro to Camera/Lighting
Students will learn the basic fundamentals of using a camera and lights for film capture utilizing the latest in digital technology. This course will provide the student with enough knowledge to deal with basic production camera and lighting issues.
- Intro to Sound
An overview of production sound recording: to understand the importance of sound, to learn to record sound in different environments, to learn to assemble and troubleshoot the sound recording equipment.
- Intro to Editing
Students will learn the fundamentals of editing. This course will provide the student with enough knowledge to deal with simple editorial production issues. Topics include: Introduction to Editing Theory, Interface and Workflow, components of FCP and terminology, how to “log and transfer” HD footage and organize media, and introduction to basic editing tools.
- Directing for Producers
The Producer/Director relationship is crucial to the success of any project. This overview of directing will introduce the student to the language of directing and the basic elements of the director’s craft including: working with actors, composition and blocking, shots and shot lists, continuity, text vs. subtext, crew positions, and the budgetary restraints of the creative process.
4-WEEK FILM AND TV PRODUCING
Tuition: $1,800
This Online Producing workshop gives students a comprehensive overview of the entire producing process. Courses include: Producer's Craft (explores every aspect of Creative Producing), Line Producing (in addition to tuition, students must purchase Movie Magic Scheduling and Movie Magic Budgeting software, using the special New York Film Academy discount code for a total cost of $300. Students will own this software even after the course is completed), Pitching (an essential producing skill), Entertainment Law, Film Finance, Film Festival Strategies, as well as an introduction to the various crafts of filmmaking including: Screenwriting, Directing, Camera/Lighting, Sound and Editing. Graduates of the program will gain practical and pragmatic skills, tools, and knowledge, enabling them to develop and hone necessary skills for a career in the film and television industry.
Classes: Producer’s Craft, Line Producing , Pitching, Entertainment Law, Story and Screenwriting, Film Finance, TV Industry Overview, Film Festival Strategies, Case Studies, Intro to Editing, Intro to Camera/Lighting, Intro to Sound, Directing for Producers
Additional cost: Additional cost: There will be an additional approx. US$300 cost incurred during the workshop for Movie Magic Scheduling and Movie Magic Budgeting software. During the course, you will be provided with a student discount code to purchase the software directly through the software company's website. Students will own this software even after the course is completed.
Film & TV Producing Class Descriptions
Producer's Craft
This class explores every aspect of the Producing process: from identifying ideas through the development of scripts, assembling commercially viable packages, as well as financing, production, marketing, and distribution. Through lecture, discussion of industry developments, handouts and individual research assignments, Producer’s Craft lays the groundwork for a profession as a Creative Producer.
Line Producing
Students learn about the physical aspects of production: scheduling and budgeting, crew descriptions, paperwork and reporting mechanisms (permits, call sheets, production reports), pay rates, working with unions, insurance guidelines, and more. Students are instructed in the use of Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting software, widely recognized as the industry standard.
Pitching
An essential producing skill, students learn the appropriate pitching techniques for a variety of meetings and settings. Each student will practice and gain critical and fundamental pitching skills, including writing effective loglines, identifying the audience, and perfecting the pitch.
Entertainment Law
Producers must feel comfortable around contracts, and all of the legal aspects of the producing process. This course is an overview of contract law and how it impacts the entertainment industry. Producing students will study legal issues regarding television, films, recordings, live performances and other aspects of the entertainment industry; including copyright, intellectual property, talent representation, and financing/distribution arrangements.
Story and Screenwriting
Producers play a key role in the development of scripts. Students will gain firsthand knowledge of fundamental screenwriting elements such as: structure, conflict, character, premise, plot, and thematic point of view. They will gain insight into working with writers, story analysis, and overall management of the development process.
Film Finance
This course focuses on successful strategies employed in the finance of studio and independent films. Topics include: equity investment, sales agents, foreign territories, pre–sales, gap financing, production incentives, subsidies and government funds, as well as the revenue waterfall, i.e. how investors get their money back.
TV Industry Overview
An introduction to the way television is developed, produced and sold. Covering diverse topics such the roles of various TV producers, Reality TV, Licensing and Syndication, deficit financing, TV packaging, TV Studios, Pilot season, The Upfront, Nielson ratings, Product integration, the foreign TV market and Old vs. New TV business models, including streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.
Film Festival Strategies
With the proliferation of film festivals around the world, this course will offer an opportunity at a “low cost” option for their submission of their films and a means to develop a film community of their own. Film Festivals are expanding as the technology explodes in the digital universe. Topics include festival selection, social media campaigns, case study of a specific film to examine the process of working the festival circuit, and achieving potential distribution deals.
Case Studies
This course will use specific in-depth examples of an already produced project to introduce students to the specific issues, problems, and solutions of the development, financing, pre-production, production, post production, distribution, and exhibition of studio and independent films.
Film Crafts
Producers must have a fundamental understanding of the various crafts involved in the filmmaking process.
Intro to Camera/Lighting
Students will learn the basic fundamentals of using a camera and lights for film capture utilizing the latest in digital technology. This course will provide the student with enough knowledge to deal with basic production camera and lighting issues.
Intro to Sound
This is an overview of production sound recording: to understand the importance of sound, to learn to record sound in different environments, to learn to assemble and troubleshoot the sound recording equipment.
Intro to Editing
Students will learn the fundamentals of editing using Avid software. This course will provide the student with enough knowledge to deal with simple editorial production issues. Topics include: Introduction to Editing Theory, Avid Interface and Workflow, components of FCP and terminology, how to “log and transfer” HD footage and organize media, introduction to basic editing tools in Avid.
Directing for Producers
The Producer/Director relationship is crucial to the success of any project. This overview of directing will introduce the student to the language of directing and the basic elements of the director’s craft including: working with actors, composition and blocking, shots and shot lists, continuity, text vs. subtext, crew positions, and the budgetary restraints of the creative process.
2-DAY LINE PRODUCING - ONLINE
Tuition: $473
We are bringing the very popular New York Film Academy 2-Day Line Producing Workshop online! In this workshop, participants learn all aspects of production management in a virtual hands-on setting. Central to the course is Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting software.
Workshop Schedule:
The workshop is offered on the weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. There are two classes each day:
- 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Additional cost: There will be an additional approx. US$300 cost incurred during the workshop for Movie Magic Scheduling and Movie Magic Budgeting software. During the course, you will be provided with a student discount code to purchase the software directly through the software company's website. Students will own this software even after the course is completed.
2-Day Line Producing Course Description
Learn the nuts and bolts of Line Producing in a hands-on immersive two-day production workshop. All the key elements of production management for film, television, and new media projects are included.
Participants will use the latest editions of industry standard Movie Magic Scheduling and Movie Magic Budgeting software to create their own film budget and strip board schedule while mastering the skills needed to prepare their own projects for production.
Workshop instruction begins with a full description of the job requirements and responsibilities of a Line Producer. Covered topics include script breakdowns, creation of strip board schedules utilizing Movie Magic Scheduling software, and Production Focus and Analysis.
Participants will then create a budget using Movie Magic Budgeting software. During this process they will gain an understanding of the following facets of Line Producing:
- Units of pay
- Fringe benefits
- The role of contingency
- The importance of the top sheet
Additional instruction will include the creation of call sheets, production reports, time cards as well as how to properly handle insurance, overtime, set operations, crew hiring, union and vendor interaction, and the importance of tax credits and production incentives.
Whether learning these skills for the first time or seeking to brush up on the latest software and production management techniques, this workshop will equip participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to make their projects a reality.
15-WEEK ONLINE DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This 15-Week workshop follows the same curriculum as the 4-week workshops but is spread over fifteen weeks. It’s designed to meet the needs of students who have other commitments.
Schedule Options
The program is offered for two different time zone options. Click here for the
two options.
Workshop Description
Under the guidance of our expert instructors, students learn the fundamental tools of documentary filmmaking. Classes include directing, documentary storytelling, camera & lighting, producing and editing. Through a series of lectures, in class screenings, practicum assignments — this course shepherds students through the production and launch of three (3) original 1-5 minute documentaries including: observational film, interview film and Final Project film using a home computer and a smartphone.
Following production and post-production of each project, students screen their work with their classmates and instructors and engage in critiques and discussion.
Program and Software Requirements
- Smart Phone with a camera
- Filmic Pro App (additional student cost is approximately $14.99)
- DaVinci Resolve Editing Software (no additional student cost)
- Laptop or desktop computer with minimum specs for editing
- Selfie Stick for use in Hands-On Cinematography Workshops
Suggested Resources
- External hard drive (optional) may cost an additional $30-$200
15-Week Online Documentary Filmmaking Class Descriptions
- Week 1 - 2:
- Documentary Storytelling / Directing & Pre-Producing An Original Doc / Smartphone Cinematography
- Practicum: Shoot Observational Film
- Week 3 - 5:
- Editing
- Directing Interviews / Smartphone Cinematography / Interviews & Zoom Interviews
- Practicum: Edit Observational Film / Shoot Interview Film
- Week 6 - 9:
- Sound Editing Techniques
- Directing the 1st Person Documentary / Documentary Storytelling - Pitch & Action; Sequence Beats / Producing Archival Footage
- Practicum: Edit Interview Film / Shoot and Gather Materials for Final Project
- Week 10 - 15:
- Advanced Editing Techniques / Supervised Editing Sessions
- Directing Feedback / Producing: Distribution
- Practicum: Edit Final Film / Workshop Rough & Fine Cuts
4-WEEK ONLINE DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
Under the guidance of our expert instructors, students learn the fundamental tools of documentary filmmaking. Classes include directing, documentary storytelling, camera & lighting, producing and editing. Through a series of lectures, in class screenings, practicum assignments — this course shepherds students through the production and launch of three (3) original 1-5 minute documentaries including: observational film, interview film and Final Project film using a home computer and a smartphone.
Following production and post-production of each project, students screen their work with their classmates and instructors and engage in critiques and discussion.
There are no prerequisites for this workshop.
Program Requirements
- Smart Phone with a camera
- Filmic Pro App (additional student cost is approximately $14.99)
- DaVinci Resolve Editing Software (no additional student cost)
- Laptop or desktop computer with minimum specs for editing
- Selfie Stick for use in Hands-On Cinematography Workshops
Suggested Resources
- External hard drive (optional) may cost an additional $30-$200
4-Week Online Documentary Filmmaking Class Descriptions
- Week 1:
- Documentary Storytelling / Directing & Pre-Producing An Original Doc / Smartphone Cinematography
- Practicum: Shoot Observational Film
- Week 2:
- Editing / Production Sound
- Directing Interviews / Smartphone Cinematography / Interviews & Zoom Interviews
- Practicum: Edit Observational Film / Shoot Interview Film
- Week 3:
- Sound Editing
- Directing the 1st Person Documentary / Documentary Storytelling - Pitch & Action; Sequence Beats / Producing Archival Footage
- Practicum: Edit Interview Film
- Shoot and Gather Materials for Final Project
- Week 4:
- Advanced Editing Techniques
- Producing: Distribution
- Practicum: Edit Final Film / Workshop Rough Cuts
15-WEEK ONLINE DIGITAL EDITING WITH ADOBE PREMIERE PRO
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This 15-Week workshop follows the same curriculum as the 4-week workshops but is spread over fifteen weeks. It’s designed to meet the needs of students who have other commitments.
This workshop gives students all the necessary skills to edit with Adobe Premiere Pro. Students are also taught multiple theoretical editing approaches.
Over the course of the workshop, students are provided footage to edit 4 varying types of projects. Students will edit: a Montage, a short Documentary, and a Dialogue project. The final week of the workshop is dedicated to cutting a Reel.
Editors hold one of the most critical roles in the filmmaking industry. Filmmakers rely on an editor’s storytelling and digital editing skills to shape the narrative of their story in post production and to polish their films. Editors are not solely limited to the film industry; they work in many areas of media, including news, documentaries, television, and web series.
The New York Film Academy’s 4-Week Digital Editing Workshops and 12-Week Evening Digital Editing Workshops provide students with hands-on instruction in editing theory, techniques and the fundamentals of digital editing. Students gain hands-on experience by editing various projects with footage provided to them in class. They also learn various theoretical concepts of editing and how to practically apply those theories.
Program requirements
- Camera (cell phone will suffice)
- Hard drive. Recommended specs are as follows:
- 7,200 rpm. This is how fast your drive spins, rpm stands for rotations per minute.
- 1tb of space.
- Recommended brands: Lacie or G-Drive
- Another option: SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable external Solid-State Drive (SSD). SSD storage is much faster than its HDD equivalent.
- Premiere Pro and Photoshop - NYFA will provide the software during the workshop.
- As of April 1, 2020, Adobe is offering a promotional campaign of $19.99 per month for more than 20 Creative Cloud apps including Premiere Pro and Photoshop with a NYFA student email address.
- Laptop. Recommended spec requirements are as follows:
15-Week Online Digital Editing With Adobe Premiere Pro Class Descriptions
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is used for editing videos, commercials and other film, television, and online video. It is a comprehensive video editing software application.
Students will become comfortable or fluent in the software, learn Shortcuts, Audio Mixing, Color Correction, Graphics and Effects, and Export Settings for various platforms.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is an advanced digital imaging software, used by photographers, designers, web professionals, and video professionals. The app gives you the utmost power and creative control for 2D and 3D image manipulation and compositing, video editing, and image analysis. Students learn the major functions of Adobe Photoshop and will create usable assets to be imported into Premiere Pro.
Creative storytelling, Be a better storyteller
The key to any great piece of content is a story. Storytelling in your video will help you to engage your audience and achieve the results you want. Stories grab at our hearts. They engage our emotions. They make us feel something for the characters, and allow us to empathize or even imagine ourselves in their place.
Creativity is how you grab your audience's attention. Students will learn throughout the program on how to create engaging content using the editing software as a tool to tell their stories.
Screening and Critique
Students screen their work for instructor and classmate feedback upon completion of each film assignment. Constructive feedback is based on the student’s application of technical and aesthetic principles learned during workshop/lecture hours, and on how well those techniques were used to achieve the student’s goals. All instructors are film, TV and other media professionals and are active in their fields. Their feedback helps students understand what they are doing well and what they could make improvements on. This practice allows students to continually improve and make even more engaging content.
4-WEEK ONLINE DIGITAL EDITING WITH ADOBE PREMIERE PRO
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This Online Digital Editing workshop is designed to serve the needs of students from a wide array of professional, personal, and educational backgrounds. For students contemplating a longer-term education in editing or a career in the industry, it is an excellent introduction to the field. Students will edit various projects over the course, including a montage and two short narrative scenes.
In daily meetings, students are instructed on critical skills such as starting a project, making cuts, post-production workflow, sound design, media management, basic effects, and other advanced concepts.
Editors hold one of the most critical roles in the filmmaking industry. Filmmakers rely on an editor’s storytelling and digital editing skills to shape the narrative of their story in post production and to polish their films. Editors are not solely limited to the film industry; they work in many areas of media, including news, documentaries, television, and web series.
The New York Film Academy’s 4-Week Digital Editing Workshops provide students with instruction in editing theory, techniques and the fundamentals of digital editing. Students not only gain experience by editing various projects but they also learn the art of storytelling. They will master various theoretical concepts of editing and how to practically apply those theories.
Weekly Breakdown/Focus
- Week 1 and 2:
- Premiere Pro/Getting to know the software
- Creating a Montage (Theory)
- How to efficiently log footage, Open a project, Basic Editing
- Audio/Implement audio and perform audio mixing
- Project 1: Montage
- How to correctly export your project with the appropriate settings
- Intermediate Sound/Advanced audio mixing techniques
- Creative Storytelling/Be a better storyteller.
- Intermediate Editing techniques
- Project 2: Basic Narrative Scene
- Screening and Critique, Project 1 and 2.
- Week 3 and 4:
- Introduction to Graphics and Effects
- Color Grading and Correction
- Project 3: Intermediate Narrative Scene
- Photoshop/Intro
- Project improvements for an advanced, polished look.
- Screening and Critique, Project 3 and 4
Digital Editing With Adobe Premiere Pro Class Descriptions
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is used for editing videos, commercials and other film, television, and online video. It is a comprehensive video editing software application. Students will become comfortable or fluent in the software, learn Shortcuts, Audio Mixing, Color Correction, Graphics and Effects, and Export Settings for various platforms.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is an advanced digital imaging software, used by photographers, designers, web professionals, and video professionals. The app gives you the utmost power and creative control for 2D and 3D image manipulation and compositing, video editing, and image analysis.
Students learn the major functions of Adobe Photoshop and will create usable assets to be imported into Premiere Pro.
Creative storytelling, Be a better storyteller
The key to any great piece of content is a story. Storytelling in your video will help you to engage your audience and achieve the results you want. Stories grab at our hearts. They engage our emotions. They make us feel something for the characters, and allow us to empathize or even imagine ourselves in their place.
Creativity is how you grab your audience's attention. Students will learn throughout the program on how to create engaging content using the editing software as a tool to tell their stories.
Screening and Critique
Students screen their work for instructor and classmate feedback upon completion of each film assignment. Constructive feedback is based on the student’s application of technical and aesthetic principles learned during workshop/lecture hours, and on how well those techniques were used to achieve the student’s goals. All instructors are film, TV and other media professionals and are active in their fields. Their feedback helps students understand what they are doing well and what they could make improvements on. This practice allows students to continually improve and make even more engaging content.
Program Requirements:
- Camera (cell phone will suffice)
- Hard drive. Recommended specs are as follows:
- 7,200 rpm. This is how fast your drive spins, rpm stands for rotations per minute.
- 1tb of space.
- Recommended brands: Lacie or G-Drive
- Another option: SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable external Solid-State Drive (SSD). SSD storage is much faster than its HDD equivalent
- Premiere Pro and Photoshop - NYFA will provide the software during the workshop.
- As of April 1, 2020, Adobe is offering a promotional campaign of $19.99 per month for more than 20 Creative Cloud apps including Premiere Pro and Photoshop with a NYFA student email address.
- Laptop. Recommended spec requirements are as follows:
Windows
|
Minimum specifications |
Recommended specifications |
| Processor |
Intel® 6thGen or newer CPU – or AMD equivalent |
Intel® 7thGen or newer CPU – or AMD equivalent |
| Operating system |
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1803 or later |
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later |
| RAM |
8 GB of RAM |
16 GB of RAM for HD media
32 GB for 4K media or higher
|
| GPU |
2 GB of GPU VRAM |
4 GB of GPU VRAM |
| Hard disk space |
8 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (will not install on a volume that uses a case sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices).
Additional high-speed drive for media
|
Fast internal SSD for app installation and cache
Additional high-speed drive(s) for media
|
| Monitor resolution |
1280 x 800 |
1920 x 1080 or greater |
| Network storage connection |
1 Gigabit Ethernet (HD only) |
|
| Sound card |
ASIO compatible or Microsoft Windows Driver Model |
ASIO compatible or Microsoft Windows Driver Model |
| Network storage connection |
1 Gigabit Ethernet (HD only) |
10 Gigabit ethernet for 4K shared network workflow |
| Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services. |
|
macOS
|
Minimum specifications |
Recommended specifications |
| Processor |
Intel® 6thGen or newer CPU |
Intel® 6thGen or newer CPU |
| Operating system |
macOS v10.13 or later |
macOS v10.13 or later |
| macOS v10.13 or later RAM |
8 GB of RAM |
16 GB of RAM for HD media
32 GB for 4K media or higher
|
| GPU |
2 GB of GPU VRAM |
4 GB of GPU VRAM |
| Hard disk space |
8 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (will not install on a volume that uses a case sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices).
Additional high-speed drive for media
|
Fast internal SSD for app installation and cache
Additional high-speed drive(s) for media
|
| Monitor resolution |
1280 x 800 |
1920 x 1080 or greater |
4-WEEK ONLINE DIGITAL EDITING WITH AVID MEDIA COMPOSER
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This program is designed to immerse students comprehensively in both the technical craft and the conceptual art of Digital Post Production. Students learn the fundamentals of non-linear editing on their own Avid Media Composer Station.
In addition to giving students a firm grounding in the craft of editing, the course gives students the opportunity to become Avid Certified Users with an Avid Certification test in the final week of the program. The course covers Avid's Media Composer 101 Fundamentals I and Media Composer 110 Fundamentals II, which will give students a strong grounding in all the skills necessary for successful editing in an Avid environment. In addition to learning how to set up projects, input/output media, trim, and create effects, students will be doing additional creative projects throughout the course, including a dialogue scene, a music video. Students will also be introduced to color grading with DaVinci Resolve.
Digital Editing with Avid Media Composer Class Descriptions
Digital Editing Theory and Practice
This course presents students with multiple aesthetic approaches to editing film digitally. Students will learn how to apply concepts such as temporal continuity and spatial continuity, as well as less traditional discontinuous editing techniques to their work. The course will also discuss the psychological and emotional effects of editing on the overall story. Students will learn to operate Avid Media Composer editing software, as well as explore advanced technical elements including sound design, color correction, and multi layered effects. Classes are supplemented with individual consultations through screen sharing.
Da Vinci Resolve
This course will take the student through a series of practical exercises that will teach them how to use the basic tools of Color Correction in Da Vinci Resolve, from primary color correction to secondary color correction, masking, tracking and key-framing to animating the color grade. Students will learn the foundations of contrast and color balance and will understand how to balance, create continuity, and develop styles and looks which bring mood and tone to moving images and the storyline.
Program Requirements
- 500 GB Hard Drive
- $90 for books
- Computer with the below specifications:
|
Minimum specifications |
Recommended specifications |
| Processor |
Intel quad-core i7 or Intel Quad Core Xeon (with Turbo boost – 8 virtual CPU cores) – 2.3 Ghz |
Intel quad-core i7 or Intel Quad Core Xeon (with Turbo boost – 8 virtual CPU cores) or Newer, 2.3 Ghz or faster |
| Operating system |
macOS v10.13 or later |
macOS v10.13 or later |
| RAM |
16 GB |
32 GB + |
| GPU |
NVIDIA GeForce family, Intel on chip graphics, ATI Radeon or AMD Radeon Pro; 2 GB of GPU VRAM |
NVIDIA GeForce family, Intel on chip graphics, ATI Radeon or AMD Radeon Pro; 4 GB of GPU VRAM |
| Hard disk space |
8 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (will not install on a volume that uses a case sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices).
Additional high-speed drive for media, with at least 25GB available
|
Fast internal 250 GB+ SSD for app installation and cache
Additional high-speed drive(s) for media, with at least 250GB available
|
| Monitor resolution |
1920 x 1080 |
1920 x 1080 or 4K |
| Network storage connection |
1 Gigabit Ethernet (HD only) |
|
15-WEEK ONLINE SCREENWRITING WORKSHOPS
Our 15-Week Online Screenwriting workshops offer instruction in specific areas of screenwriting, whether it be feature-length film scripts, television, or comic book writing, each of the workshops is structured to deliver intensely focused and challenging lessons to help students improve their skills and develop projects of which they can be proud.
Our 15-week online screenwriting courses can be taken sequentially to follow the natural arc of project development, or taken a la carte to fulfill the exact needs of each student’s current goals.
15-Week Online Screenwriting workshops offered:
|
8-WEEK ONLINE SCREENWRITING - MICROBUDGET
Tuition: $3,600 (USD)
Filmmakers today have an unprecedented opportunity to create and distribute their movies to compete in the marketplace. Due to advanced technology in cameras, post-production software and DIY marketing & distribution networks, virtually anyone with a great story, the right work ethic and persistent attitude can make a feature film that is both marketable and profitable.
In this intensive 8-week online course, students learn the fundamentals of feature screenwriting in order to generate and develop stories specifically for a microbudget film. In the first couple of weeks, students will develop a story concept, write a detailed outline and then move onto scripting their feature-length microbudget screenplay. Students leave the course with an elevator pitch, a 3 – 5 minute pitch, a process for how to begin their director's prep, a query letter and a first draft of a microbudget feature film screenplay. Students will also learn how to give and receive feedback, an important skill set for screenplay development.
There are no prerequisites for this workshop.
Class Breakdown
- Week 1 - Story, Concept & Development
- Feature Writing Workshop - Story Generation, Concept Development, Treatment
- Microbudget Case Study - Fundraising, Case Study of August the First
- Elements of Dramatic Narrative - Introduction to Theme
- Week 2 - Building the Character Ecosystem
- Feature Writing Workshop - Character & Emotion, Story Development
- Microbudget Case Study - Casting, Goals and Challenging
- Elements of Dramatic Narrative - Dramatizing Your Theme through Character Want and Need
- Week 3 - The Beat Sheet
- Feature Writing Workshop - Build Beat Sheet & Structure as Emotion
- Microbudget Case Study - Marketing & Case Study of Open Water
- Elements of Dramatic Narrative - Storytelling Structure, Part I
- The Business of Screenwriting – Strategies for getting an Agent, Copyright Process
- Week 4 - Writing the Microbudget Script
- Feature Writing Workshop - Scripting and the Anatomy of the Scene
- Microbudget Case Study - Festival Strategy & Case Study of Somewhere in the Middle
- Elements of Dramatic Narrative - Storytelling Structure, Part II
- Pitching - From Logline to Elevator Pitch
- Week 5 - Writing the Microbudget Script
- Feature Writing Workshop - Scripting and the Task of the Acts
- Microbudget Case Study - Distribution Options & Audience Building
- Elements of Dramatic Narrative - Building Character Change, Part I
- The Business of Screenwriting - Crafting the Query Letter
- Pitching - Building the 3 to 5 Minute Pitch
- Week 6 - Writing the Microbudget Script
- Feature Writing Workshop - Scripting and Dialogue as Action
- Microbudget Case Study - The Director’s Statement / Preparing the Director’s
- Notebook
- Elements of Dramatic Narrative - Focus on Cinematic Storytelling, Part I
- The Business of Screenwriting - Read & Critique the First Draft of the Query Letter.
- Pitching - Present & Critique 3 to 5 Minute Pitch
- Week 7 - Writing the Microbudget Script
- Feature Writing Workshop - The Final Battle - Ending Your Script
- Microbudget Case Study - Preparing the Director’s Notebook
- Elements of Dramatic Narrative - Focus on Cinematic Storytelling, Part II
- The Business of Screenwriting - Read & Critique the Second Draft of the Query Letter
- Pitching - Present & Critique 3 to 5 Pitch
- Week 8 - Writing the Microbudget Script
- Feature Writing Workshop - Reading & Critiquing the Screenplays
Program and Software Requirements
Students are required to purchase a Screenwriting Software program. Final Draft is $100 and is industry standard, but there are other options that will also work.
8-Week Online Screenwriting - Microbudget Class Descriptions
Feature Writing Workshop
Through mini-lectures, in-class exercises, and homework assignments, the instructor guides the students in the development of a feature-length micro-budget screenplay from logline to treatment and from outline to screenplay. Each student is allocated workshop time each week in which his/her work is critiqued. A constructive, creative, and supportive atmosphere is maintained.
Elements of Dramatic Narrative
This class on narrative theory introduces students to the paradigms, processes and tools crucial to developing and enhancing their stories. This course introduces and explores critical storytelling concepts within craft, such as - Classic Screenplay Structure, Non-Linear Screenplay Structure, the Elements of the Scene, Developing the Character, Character Arcs, Building and Developing the Story’s Theme.
Microbudget Film Case Studies
This course looks at three case studies of micro-budget films for an exploration of how and why they were successful. The course includes script-to-screen analysis, comparing successful microbudget films to their original screenplays.
The Business of Screenwriting
This course is designed to further students’ knowledge of the intricacies of the industry to help them create opportunities for themselves post film school. Topics include: Strategies for Securing an Agent, The Importance of the Copyright, Building Relationships with Industry executives and How do I Write a Query Letter?
Pitching
Pitching is the gateway to creating opportunities and relationships in the industry. Success in pitching consists of the ability to accurately and engagingly convey the basic outline of your story to another person, verbally, in a very short time. Working with experienced professionals, students will build both an elevator pitch and a 3 – 5 minute pitch of their micro-budget feature.
Each Week of the Microbudget Screenwriting Course will feature 10 2-hour classes. There will be two classes a day, Monday through Friday. The number of classes students will take during the week is present by the number in parenthesis.
6-WEEK ONLINE SCREENWRITING - TELEVISION PILOT (INTERMEDIATE)
Tuition: $2,700 (USD)
Prerequisites – Students should either have taken NYFA’s 4-Week Online Screenwriting - Television Pilot (Beginners) or have a submitted and approved series proposal and TV Pilot Beat Sheet.
Innovations in technology, distribution, and financing have given modern episodic writers more opportunities than at any other time in history. Now more than ever a writer’s imagination can sprawl to fit the ambitions of their story with the confidence of knowing there is a platform suited to their vision.
In this intensive 6-week online course, students will use their outlines completed in TV Pilot Writing I (or independently completed outlines approved by the department) to write the pilot episode of an episodic series with an eye toward taking it into the marketplace and finding a home in the landscape of scripted entertainment.
Topics covered include but are not limited to: anatomy of the sitcom, anatomy of the one-hour drama, expectations and conventions of network television, basic cable, premium cable, and streaming platforms. Students will develop skills related to character, structure, theme, pacing and style while completing a first draft of their series pilot.
Program and Software Requirements
Students are required to purchase a Screenwriting Software program. Final Draft is $100 and is industry standard, but there are other options that will also work.
6-Week Online Screenwriting - Television Pilot Class Description
Pilot Workshop 1 Introduction
Students must submit their series proposal (or show bibles) and loglines to be read and critiqued by the instructor and their fellow students who will provide notes with an eye toward creating a beat sheet for the pilot in week two, and starting the script in week three. Discussion topics include the distinctions between episodic platforms, the structure of a one-hour drama, half hour sitcom, and methods for how to give and receive notes.
Beat Sheet Creation and Revision
Students will write or revise beat sheet outlines of their pilot episodes in preparation for their first drafts. Discussion topics include scene structure and writing effective action and dialogue.
Opening Pages
Students writing one-hour teleplays present their teasers and first act; students writing half hour teleplays present the first half of their pilots.Discussion topics include defining character and externalizing change over time.
The Dramatic Struggle
Students writing one-hour teleplays present acts two and three; students writing half hour teleplays present the second half of their pilots. Discussion topics include keeping track of your storylines and plot points while retaining character motivation.
Resolution and Cliffhangers
Students writing one-hour teleplays present act four (and five); students writing half hour teleplays present full rewrites. Discussion topics include resolving storylines while allowing enough irresolution to encourage the audience to return for further episodes.
Table Reads
Students will receive a full episode table read of their revised pilot draft. Notes on their work will incorporate the draft itself, the larger series, and its likely place within the larger episodic series market.
4-WEEK ONLINE SCREENWRITING - TELEVISION PILOT (Beginners)
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
With over 580 shows currently broadcasting on TV, cable, and streaming services, there’s never been a better time in history to be a television writer. The 4-Week Online Television Writing program will prepare the emerging writer for every phase of TV Storytelling; from developing a concept, building characters, and pitching their ideas to crafting an outline and ultimately writing the teaser and first act of the teleplay (Half-Hour Sitcom or One-Hour Drama).
Topics covered in this course include but are not limited to: anatomy of the sitcom, building the one-hour drama, and the differences between network and cable shows. Students will complete the program with a Character Biography, Five-Minute Pitch, Detailed Outline, Completed Show Bible, and Teaser and First Act of their TV Show.
Sessions: One class subject each day, divided into two 1.5 hour segments with a break in between.
Classes: Feature Writing Workshop, Elements of Dramatic Narrative
Screenwriting - Television Pilot Class Descriptions
TV Class Description
Under the guidance of the instructor, the Television Writing Workshop exposes students to different TV formats and genres and helps them develop the concept and voice of their show. Students will initially pitch three ideas - one of which will be the basis for their original television pilot. Once students choose their main story idea, they will pitch, plot, outline the story and create a show bible. In the last week of the program students will write the teaser and first act of their teleplay.
Elements of Dramatic Narrative For Television
This narrative theory course introduces students to paradigms, processes and tools to help create their teleplay. Specifically, the course exposes students to a variety of television genres as a foundation to build competency when writing either the half hour sit-com or the one hour drama. Students will attend screenings and lectures, complete quizzes, participate in extensive class discussions, and engage in writing exercises to assist in the creation of the story pitch, outline and show bible.
Also see our 15-week online screenwriting programs.
4-WEEK ONLINE SCREENWRITING - STORY & STRUCTURE
This Online Screenwriting Workshop will provide students with a hands-on experience on what it means to be a screenwriter in the film industry. Students will learn the basic building blocks of story - structure, character, dialog, and industry-standard formatting. They will use these tools to develop an original idea for a feature film into a detailed outline. The program focuses primarily on the basic tools all writers need to develop their stories. It provides a fundamental knowhow relevant to anyone who wants to write cinematically for the screen.
Students will complete the program with a Short Treatment and Detailed Beat Sheet for a Feature Screenplay, ready to go to pages. Students will have written script pages (practice scenes) for the Elements of Screenwriting portion of the program.
Sessions: One class subject each day, divided into two 1.5 hour sessions with a break in between.
Classes: Elements of Screenwriting, Feature Screenwriting Workshop
Screenwriting - Story & Structure Class Descriptions
Elements of Screenwriting
This class provides the basics on narrative structure, screenplay formatting, and plotting and developing your feature screenplay idea. It also teaches specific skills like dialogue, subtext, exposition, elements of a scene, character arcs, and theme. Students will write practice scenes and discuss storytelling and the basic and in depth tools of feature screenwriting.
Feature Workshop
This class is a workshop, for developing story ideas, and turning them into feature screenplay ideas. Students will bring in multiple ideas, workshop them with classmates under the guidance of their instructor until they pick an idea to plot as a feature screenplay. Then they will plot that idea in detail, figuring out the broad structure before focusing in on the plotting details and eventually generating a treatment and a beat sheet for a ready to write feature screenplay.
Also see our 15-week online screenwriting programs.
2-WEEK ONLINE SCREENWRITING - FILM & TELEVISION PITCH
Tuition: $900 (USD)
The next 24 months are slated to be the biggest content explosion in Hollywood history. The networks, studios, and streamers just don’t have the in-house teams or the time to develop content the way they used to. As a result, the industry will lean heavily on emerging writers to provide stories for both regional and global audiences. The gateway to opportunities for emerging writers begins with the ability to deliver a compelling pitch.
The Two Week Online Television and Film Pitch Workshop provides emerging writers with the tools to create an effective Pitch; from screenwriting fundamentals to developing a concept, characters, and theme; from exposure to various styles and techniques of pitching to building a compelling logline. The course will culminate with students having the opportunity to pitch their project to an industry professional for notes and feedback.
Over the span of two weeks, students will craft an Elevator Pitch, an Adaptive Pitch, a Short Pitch of 2-3 mins and they will also learn the components of a longer Office Meeting Pitch - which includes a personal introduction, set piece, themes, and what makes a pitch unique and distinctive.
Class Breakdown
-
Week 1 - Overview of the Pitch & Story Generation
- Story Generation - Fundamentals of Storytelling / Methods of Storytelling
- Story Generation - The importance of the logline / Class will develop generate, pitch and review 50 film ideas.
- Introduction to the short pitch. Hand out template. Its purpose, its structure. Hone and perfect the logline.
- Present Personal Story pitch, Building compelling characters, Personal Connection with Pitching, Crafting an Introduction, Adaptation (fairy tale)
- Present fairy tale adaptation pitch / Intro to TV pitch & how it differs from film.
- Week 2 - Hone Short Pitch, Practice for Final Presentation to Industry Professionals
- Present TV Pitch, Present Short Pitch with critique and feedback - emphasis on the emotional and visual aspects of the presentation.
- Students Memorize their short pitch and present it for continued presentation and feedback.
- Students will go into breakout rooms and pitch to one another with instructor jumping in for guidance.
- Continue short pitch presentation with a focus on personal connection, enthusiasm and body language, eye contact.
- Students Pitch to and receive critique from Industry Professionals.
2-Week Online Screenwriting - Film & Television Pitch Class Descriptions
Story Generation
The first two days of the course will be devoted to introducing students to storytelling techniques used to build their story concept into a logline - a one sentence story description used to excite the audience as to what will happen next.
This class is designed to help writers become what the film industry needs most: prolific sources of movie ideas. Students will begin by learning screenwriting fundamentals to provide them with a solid foundation by which they will build over 50 story concepts before choosing the one that they will take into their pitch workshop.
Pitch Workshop
This class provides the basics for creating, enhancing and preparing either a Television or Feature Film pitch for presentation to an industry professional. Students will use the logline developed in Story Generation as a foundation to build their pitches with a focus on improving their story mechanics and overall presentation.
From the onset of the class, students will be given specific criteria and vocabulary by which to critique their classmates' pitches as well as their own. Using the philosophy that that best pitches come from the best stories, students will learn how to grow their concept, build characters and refine the story’s structure and theme. Lastly, under the guidance of the instructor, students will complete a series of in-class exercises and homework targeting specific aspects of pitching and will workshop several practice pitches to create a compelling final presentation.
Ultimately what makes this course unique is the opportunity for each student to pitch to and receive feedback from an industry professional on the last day of the class.
Upon successful completion of the course students will have developed a logline, story concept and pitch that they can develop into a screenplay. They will create a 30 second elevator pitch and 2 to 3-minute version of their main story; they will build an adaptive pitch based on a story from another medium and they will learn the components of an Office Meeting Pitch - a crucial process every filmmaker needs to build relationships and move their projects closer to getting a green light.
4-WEEK ONLINE BROADCAST JOURNALISM
Offered for regular programming and additional workshops available for Asia time zones. To view schedules, click here.
This workshop offers an intensive hands-on curriculum, developed in collaboration with award-winning broadcast, cable and online journalists. Through both study and hands-on practice, students are trained in the fundamental principles, techniques and craft of digital journalism.
Students first learn, and then put into practice research, writing, interviewing, reporting, video/audio recording, editing, and producing skills. They also come to understand the impact digital and cross-platform distribution is having on traditional journalism. During teacher-supervised Production Workshops, the process of producing, shooting, interviewing and sound recording for news projects is put into practice prior to going out into the field.
Visual storytelling is an essential aspect of digital journalism. Students develop their storytelling skills through a combination of lecture, demonstration, in-class exercises and the students' own work. Emphasis is placed on the key production skills utilized a wide range of program types, including national and local news, sports news, entertainment news as well as fashion/lifestyle news.
Students spend significant time, both inside and outside of class hours, creating their projects.
Program Requirements:
- Smart Phone with a camera
- Filmic Pro app (additional student cost is approximately $14.99)
- DaVinci Resolve Editing Software (no additional student cost)
- Laptop or desktop computer with minimum specs for editing (see table below)
Suggested Resources:
- Microphone for smartphone (optional) may cost an additional $60-$150
- External hard drive (optional) may cost an additional $30-$200
Weekly Breakdown/Focus
- Week 1: Basic Training - Students participate in interviewing, writing, shooting and editing exercises
- Week 2: The Voiceover - Students shoot and edit a 30-second Voiceover segment
- Week 3: The News Package - Students create a 90-second News Package
- Week 4: The Interview Profile - Students produce a short video profile, in which an engaging character tells his/her own story
Broadcast Journalism Class Descriptions
This course is project-driven. In other words, learning takes place through the production of actual news stories and projects. While the content of news stories and programs may differ dramatically, all incorporate certain common elements. Students will create projects based on these elements.
- A VO (Voiceover) uses video, the natural sound associated with that video and graphic materials to tell a story. The video rolls over the studio anchor or a reporter speaking, and does not include any on-camera comments. Each student will shoot her/his own video, do her/his own reporting, as well as write, narrate and edit a VO. The completed project will run approximately 30 seconds.
- The News Package is the fundamental building block of all news programing. It incorporates both VO narration as well as brief, on-camera interview excerpts (“sound bites”). Potentially it also includes a reporter stand-up. Each student researches, produces, writes, shoots and edits a short video news package that is approximately 90-seconds in length. Some students will opt to do hard news reports, while others will choose to do feature stories.
- For the Interview Profile, the student produces and edits a single camera interview of three to four minutes. She/he uses open-ended questions and employs various other techniques of the news interview. The interview subject will tell her/his story through this interview. There is only minimal use of reporter VO copy. The project incorporates original footage, along with available still images and existing footage.
Digital Journalism
Students learn the principles and foundation of newsgathering and production. All student projects are introduced in class, and it is the venue where students’ projects are viewed and critiqued. Classes are geared towards preparing students for their own productions, developing their ability to work independently in a high-pressure creative environment. Upon completion, students will have an in-depth knowledge of ENG (Electronic News Gathering); broadcast news craft and production; the ability to write and pre-visualize a news story; knowledge of news history, theory and ethics.
Hands-on Camera
This class introduces students to the functions, operation, and use of smartphone video cameras. Students train to shoot in the field, enabling them to technically execute single-camera productions. Lighting is a key element. Students will understand, and be able to use, camera menu settings; shoot scenes that are well-composed and properly exposed; know how to shoot sequences and the value of varying focal lengths; be able to shoot one-camera interviews that approximate multi-camera shoots.
Digital Editing
In this class, students train using industry standard digital editing software, and are introduced to fundamental editing tools and techniques. Students are taught to edit non-fiction material, both practically and aesthetically. Topics include editing terminology/vocabulary; time code; cutting styles; organizational tools; rules for editing; and building a story in post-production. Students edit their own projects, both independently as well as in supervised classes.
Production Workshop
Hands-on, workshop classes in which students apply information learned in Digital Journalism and Hands-on Camera to an actual production environment. Students conduct interviews putting into practice their knowledge of shot types, sequence of shots, eye lines, backgrounds and audio. Upon successful completion, students are expected to have the ability to work independently.
In-Class Review of Video Projects
- Each video project will be viewed in-class.
- Instructor and students will make comments, both positive and negative.
- Class will discuss how the script was structured, and why.
- Class will analyze if the story had an impact and, overall, made sense. Was the story told well?
- Class will discuss the writing and use of sound bites. Was the story fair and balanced? Did it present opposing points of view?
- Class will discuss camera shots, audio, lighting, tracking.
- Class will critique production values. Although a good news package is strong both editorially and technically, the editorial content is the most important.
- Class will discuss when/if stand-ups are needed and, if so, should they be bridges or closes.
Computer Requirements
Windows
|
Minimum specifications |
Recommended specifications |
| Processor |
Intel® 6thGen or newer CPU – or AMD equivalent |
Intel® 7thGen or newer CPU – or AMD equivalent |
| Operating system |
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1803 or later |
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later |
| RAM |
8 GB of RAM |
16 GB of RAM for HD media
32 GB for 4K media or higher
|
| GPU |
2 GB of GPU VRAM |
4 GB of GPU VRAM |
| Hard disk space |
8 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (will not install on a volume that uses a case sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices).
Additional high-speed drive for media
|
Fast internal SSD for app installation and cache
Additional high-speed drive(s) for media
|
| Monitor resolution |
1280 x 800 |
1920 x 1080 or greater |
| Network storage connection |
1 Gigabit Ethernet (HD only) |
|
| Sound card |
ASIO compatible or Microsoft Windows Driver Model |
ASIO compatible or Microsoft Windows Driver Model |
| Network storage connection |
1 Gigabit Ethernet (HD only) |
10 Gigabit ethernet for 4K shared network workflow |
| Internet |
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services. |
|
MacOS
|
Minimum specifications |
Recommended specifications |
| Processor |
Intel® 6thGen or newer CPU |
Intel® 6thGen or newer CPU |
| Operating system |
macOS v10.13 or later |
macOS v10.13 or later |
| macOS v10.13 or later RAM |
8 GB of RAM |
16 GB of RAM for HD media
32 GB for 4K media or higher
|
| GPU |
2 GB of GPU VRAM |
4 GB of GPU VRAM |
| Hard disk space |
8 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (will not install on a volume that uses a case sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices).
Additional high-speed drive for media
|
Fast internal SSD for app installation and cache
Additional high-speed drive(s) for media
|
| Monitor resolution |
1280 x 800 |
1920 x 1080 or greater |
4-WEEK ONLINE 3D ANIMATION & VFX
This online 4-Week Survey of 3D Animation & VFX workshop is designed to deliver a bird’s-eye view of the tools, pipelines, and careers available in 3D animation and VFX. The course will cover basic introductions to modeling, texturing, rigging, lighting, rendering, compositing, and VFX. This survey course offers a window into the magnitude of the industry, giving the student a hands-on perspective of all its possibilities and a glimpse at some emerging technologies.
Additional Costs: Please note there may be some additional costs for software costing upto $165. This will depend on the student’s choice to use either trial versions for free or to purchase software with provided student discounts. Examples of software include Autodesk Maya, V-Ray (or Arnold), Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve Editing Software (no additional student cost), Adobe After Effects (or Nuke), word processing, web design tools, presentation tools.
3D Animation & VFX Class Descriptions
3D Essentials
3D Essentials is the basic training boot camp for the novice to 3D animation. It introduces the student to the entirety of the 3D animation pipeline through a survey of each of the core disciplines. Modeling, Texturing, Rigging, Character Animation, Lighting, and Rendering. By the end of this course students will produce a short 30 second original project from start to using each of the disciplines mimicking a professional pipeline.
Visual Effects Grand Tour
This class does for VFX what 3D Essentials does for Animation. The student will be introduced to the core disciplines of a 3D Visual Effects Pipeline. Including Modeling, Texturing, HDR Lighting, Scene Set-up, Rendering, Compositing (with Render Passes), Tracking, and more. By the end of this course students will produce their own short VFX shot building CG assets on top of existing footage.
Visual Effects (VFX)
Visual Effects is a deeper dive into the core skills that visual effects artists need in their tool kit. Students will learn how to approach a VFX shot and determine what tools are appropriate for what circumstances. These skills include: compositing, tracking (match moving), rotoscoping, chroma keying, keyframing, expressions, renderings, 3D Integration (and effects).
Business of Animation & VFX
This class prepares students for what awaits them in the Animation industry. Students will learn how to prepare and polish professional materials, such as a demo reel, which will be crucial in their introduction to the professional world. Also discussed are the standards and practices of the business of Animation.
4-WEEK ONLINE GAME DESIGN - PLAY MECHANICS
This course provides a foundation of knowledge for understanding games as playable systems. Students learn the language of Playcentric Design and practice the craft of prototyping, playtesting, and iteration in an environment independent of computers. This is to provide the student hard skills that can be used throughout a career in games – transcendent of changing technologies.
The student will:
- Understand Fundamental Theory – See how any game breaks down into Formal, Dramatic, and Dynamic systems. And learn how the three interrelate.
- Learn Core Development Process – Acquire the skills of prototyping, playtesting, iteration, presentation, and collaboration. These timeless skills can be applied to all game types present and future.
- Practice, Practice, Practice– All students prototype multiple games -on paper regardless of technical skills. All students gain extensive experience critiquing and analyzing games via formal playtests with fellow students.
At the end of the course each student will have a portfolio of playable game prototypes.
Classes include:
- Playcentric Design Principles
- Play Mechanics Hands On Workshop
- Playtesting and Iteration Lab
- Prepping Your Online Game Portfolio
Students must have a computer that is capable of running Unity 3D (free) and Zoom (free for attendees).
Game Design Class Descriptions
Playcentric Design Principles
Students will learn how games work as playable systems including Formal, Dramatic, and Dynamic elements; how to tell stories and bring characters alive in your games; and students will deconstruct famous games using the language of Playcentric Design.
Play Mechanics Hands On Workshop
In this class students will make game prototypes following a tried and true, structured process, and practice creating original mechanics and integrating existing mechanics. Students will also engage in the NYFA Game Canon (e.g. play mechanic case studies you should know as a professional game developer).
Playtesting and Iteration Lab
Students will engage with players and instructors, hands on, to get feedback to improve their games, conduct playtest sessions to get objective, actionable information, and learn best practices for isolating game play problems and generating elegant solutions.
Prepping Your Online Game Portfolio
Students will be guided to take what they have made in this course to properly showcase their talents to the game industry. They will build portfolio pages using proven techniques and learn how to get feedback from industry developers to build a professional network.
PERFORMING ARTS
15-WEEK ONLINE ACTING
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This 15-Week workshop follows the same curriculum as the 4-week workshops but is spread over fifteen weeks. It’s designed to meet the needs of students who have other commitments.
Schedule Options
The program is offered for two different time zone options. Click here for the
two options.
Workshop Description
The two principal areas of concentration in this intensive program are Acting for Film and Scene Study. These areas coincide in the creation of short, filmed scenes in which students act. The edited scenes are the main projects of the workshop. Scene Study emphasizes the theory and practice of the basic elements of the acting craft, using Stanislavsky’s system. While Acting for Film classes aim specifically at training students for the requirements of acting on a film set.
Courses encourage students to break down physical and internal inhibitions, and help each student find the most effective personal sources for the creation of truthful characters. Students should be prepared to work in non-traditional acting classes that emphasize the construction and control of character given the unique pressures of a film or television shoot.
The program is constructed to deliver a great deal of content in a short time, and is an exceptional opportunity for a total immersion experience in fifteen weeks. Classes will meet twice a week and students will need to do some preparation outside of class.
No significant prior experience or knowledge is assumed. The program brings everyone to the same level very quickly, beginning with the fundamentals while also filling the inevitable gaps in the understanding of those with prior experience.
There are no prerequisites for this Workshop.
15-Week Online Acting Class Descriptions
Acting for Film
In this course, students learn the basics of film acting: calibrating performances based upon shot size and angle, eye line, hitting marks, emotional and physical continuity, and strength and imagination in acting choices. Students are assigned scenes from produced screenplays and plays, which are then filmed via the online platform with instructor guidance. Additionally, there will be discussions about filmcraft, the business of acting and auditioning.
Acting Techniques and Scene Study
This course builds a foundation of acting through the execution of a written scene. By working on sections of plays and screenplays, actors learn the basic concepts of scene study: defining objectives; breaking the scene down into beats; understanding the arc; pursuing the objective; playing actions; and working to overcome obstacles.
Voice and movement exercises will also be explored so that students can work toward an expressive and free voice and body. Each student will gain insight into how to effectively free their instrument, providing the necessary tools to bring dimension to all roles.
The program is constructed to deliver a great deal of content in a short time, and is an exceptional opportunity for a total immersion experience in fifteen weeks. Classes will meet twice a week and students will need to do some preparation outside of class. No significant prior experience or knowledge is assumed. The program brings everyone to the same level very quickly, beginning with the fundamentals while also filling the inevitable gaps in the understanding of those with prior experience.
- Acting for Film- Once a week
- Acting Technique and Scene Study- Once a week
8-WEEK ONLINE ACTING
Tuition: $3,600 (USD)
The New York Film Academy’s Eight-Week Acting for Film Workshop is an immersive full time workshop that takes students from the basic principles of the craft through a working understanding of the aesthetic and technical aspects of the medium.
The two principal areas of concentration in this intensive program are acting for film and scene study. These areas coincide in the creation of short, filmed scenes acted in which students act. These scenes are the main projects of the workshop. Voice and Speech and Movement serve as support courses while Audition Technique exposes students to cold reading techniques and a discussion of the business of acting and its essential tools. Film Craft introduces students to the roles of the director, cinematographer and editor, the language of film and how films are made, and the effects that these roles have on the choices an actor makes.
There are no prerequisites for this Workshop.
8-Week Online Acting Class Descriptions
Acting for Film
In this course, students learn the basics of film acting: calibrating performances based upon shot size and angle, eye line, hitting marks, emotional and physical continuity, and strength and imagination in acting choices. Students are assigned scenes from produced screenplays, which are then shot via the online platform.
Acting Technique & Scene Study
This course builds a foundation of acting through the execution of a written scene. By working on sections of plays and screenplays, actors learn the basic concepts of scene study: defining objectives; breaking the scene down into beats; understanding the arc; pursuing the objective; playing actions; and working to overcome obstacles.
Voice and Speech
A primary tool for the actor is an expressive and free voice. In voice classes, students gain insight into the power of how to nurture and control their voices by exercising various resonators and muscles, enabling them to release emotional impulses. Improvement in articulation and understandability will also be explored.
Movement
An actor’s body is his or her instrument. It must be tuned to perform expertly whenever and however needed. In addition to expanding body flexibility and developing the student’s ability to relax and tense when needed, movement classes focus on breaking down inhibitions, building ensemble spirit, and providing the necessary tools to bring physical dimension to all roles.
Audition Technique
Acting is as much of a business as it is a craft. In addition to training, successful actors must develop strong marketing skills in order to build a career. This course focuses on cold reading techniques, key audition skills and developing a career strategy. Additionally, students have the opportunity to get live auditioning experience in class.
Film Craft
In this course, students learn about filmmaking from the director and cinematographer’s perspective. Learning the roles of all the players on a film set dramatically increases the actor’s ability to collaborate with the filmmakers in developing dynamic performances.
4-WEEK ONLINE ACTING
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This online intensive Acting program will help develop the skills you need to compete in the business of acting. Students will learn how to choose and workshop monologues, explore how to produce their own original material, discover how to break down and prepare a script, watch and discuss great performances from some of the best talent in the industry, and prepare for the business by learning how to self-tape and submit for auditions. This unique experience is a wonderful way to study at New York Film Academy with people from all over the world, with the convenience of an online platform.
Classes: Text in Action, Monologues, Voice and Speech, Audition Technique, New Media, Performance Analysis
Acting Class Descriptions
Text in Action
This course teaches core skills necessary for maintaining the integrity of a performance. Text in Action focuses on the analysis and mapping skills required while shooting out of sequence. Students examine contemporary playwrights and screenwriters, examining plot structure and extracting given circumstances, and learn to utilize these fundamental tools for rehearsal and performance.
Voice and Speech
In this course students will begin to hone a vocal technique that is open, free, flexible, lively, and possessing an extensive and colorful range.
Monologue
In this intensive course, you will learn how to choose a monologue that showcases your individual type, playing to your unique strengths as an actor. You will learn how to shape and craft your monologue by choosing specific objectives, actions, and personalized points of view, to ultimately create a monologue that can be used for auditions and showcases alike.
Audition Technique
This class focuses on the fundamentals of crafting material for on-camera TV and Film auditions, so that you can create unique, compelling auditions that showcase your strengths as an actor. You will also learn what to expect in a professional audition setting, and how to successfully master self tape auditions.
New Media
This course explores burgeoning forms of new media, including web series, as well as creating online media content and sketch production. Students explore what it means to produce their own work with materials that are available to them at low or no cost. The class will culminate in a sharing of self-written and produced short videos.
Performance Analysis
Students will view and participate in discussion of pivotal film performances and develop an appreciation and technical understanding of the methods, choices, and effects of various styles of acting.
1-WEEK ONLINE ACTING
Tuition: $450 (USD)
Acting for film and Scene Study are the two principal areas of concentration in the intensive One-Week Acting for Film Workshop. These areas coincide in the creation of short, filmed scenes in which students act. Voice and Speech, Movement, and Film Craft serve as support courses while Audition Technique exposes students to cold reading techniques and a discussion of the business of acting and its essential tools.
The basis of this and all other New York Film Academy programs is learning by doing, using a hands-on, practical, experiential approach. This workshop is constructed to deliver a great deal of content in a short time, and is an exceptional opportunity for a total immersion experience for one week.
There are no prerequisites for this Workshop.
1-Week Online Acting Class Descriptions
Acting for Film
In Acting for Film students learn the basics of film acting: calibrating performances based
upon shot size and angle, eye line, hitting marks, emotional and physical continuity, and
strength and imagination in acting choices. Students are assigned scenes from produced
screenplays, which are then shot via the online platform with instructor supervision.
Acting Technique and Scene Study
This course builds a foundation of acting through the study of the execution of a written
scene. By working on sections of published plays and screenplays, students learn the basic
concepts of scene study: defining objectives, breaking the scene down into beats,
understanding the arc, pursuing the objective, playing actions, and working to overcome
obstacles.
Voice and Speech
In this course, students gain insight into the power of how to nurture and control their
voices by exercising various resonators and muscles enabling them to release emotional
impulses. In addition to breath work, this course focuses on relaxation and posture as a way
of nurturing the actor’s instrument.
Movement
In addition to expanding body flexibility and developing the student’s ability to relax and tense
when needed, movement classes focus on breaking down inhibitions and providing the
necessary tools to bring physical dimension to all roles.
Business of Acting/Audition Technique
Acting is as much of a business as it is a craft. In addition to training, successful actors must
develop strong marketing skills in order to build a career. This course focuses on such
topics as feeling comfortable at cold readings and preparing audition materials.
Film Craft
In this course, students learn the basics of directing to increase the actor’s ability to
collaborate with filmmakers in developing dynamic performances.
STARTING YOUR VOICEOVER CAREER CLASSES
With professional VO artists Deidre Goodwin and Kristy Cates and Producer/Engineer Jonathan Appell
- 5 weeks long meeting on Tuesday and Thursday
- 25 hours total
- One 2.5-hour class per day
- 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. ET
- It is recommended you have a usb mic for this class
Step up to the mic and dive into the world of voiceovers. This introductory workshop breaks down what it takes to pursue a career as a voiceover artist. Over the five weeks, students will study different areas of voiceover including commercial, promo and animation, how to take care of your voice, the basics of setting up a home studio, how to create your own voice over demo reel and how to pursue a career in the voice over industry.
15-WEEK ONLINE MUSICAL THEATRE
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)
This online Musical Theatre Workshop introduces students to the integral skills required for success in the musical theatre field and teaches them how to prepare themselves for the various demands of a musical theatre career. It is designed for individuals with singing and movement abilities who may or may not have prior experience on a musical theatre stage. Upon completion, students will have gained invaluable knowledge and experience in the art and craft of musical theatre through the convenience of an online platform.
Classes: Acting, Performance Lab, Ballet, Jazz/Theatre Dance, History of Musical Theatre, Voice Studio Lab, Audition Technique, Basic Music Theory
Musical Theatre Class Descriptions
Acting
The class begins with foundational exercises to train the actor's reflexes toward behavioral truth within imaginary circumstances. Once this foundation has been established, the students can apply themselves to scripted text.
Performance Lab
This is a performance-based class that approaches musical theater the same way an actor explores text in a play. During the course, each student will develop necessary skills to thoughtfully investigate material in order to combine organic choices in movement, acting and singing. Students will explore the fundamentals of text analysis and research in order to provide intentions, stakes and conflict for each character in a variety of contrasting musical theater genres.
Ballet
This class provides a highly disciplined and developmentally appropriate sequence of ballet training. In class training focuses upon building strength, flexibility, musicality, and coordination. The class will cover the basics of placement/alignment, turnout, lines of positions, port de bras, quality of movement, class etiquette, ballet terminology.
Jazz/Theatre Dance
This class is designed to teach each student the correct alignment and specific techniques necessary for advancement within this and all dance genres. Class is aimed at increasing strength, flexibility, endurance, and the ability to learn and retain choreography.
Voice Studio Lab
This course provides an introduction to the basic functional skills of vocal production and singing. Topics include: breathing, muscular and air support, diction, the vocal anatomy, tone production, vowel and consonant modification, resonance and vocal health.
History of Musical Theatre
This course provides students with an overview of early and modern theatre; including composers, lyricists, performers, directors, choreographers, and producers.
Audition Technique
The study of musical and non-musical based audition techniques. Included in the class will be a unit of work focused on professional preparation and the business of acting covering topics related to casting, audition prep, headshots and resumes, personal style, awareness of type, and current trends in the profession.
Basic Music Theory
This class teaches students literacy in the written language of music. Actors who have the ability to read music fluently have a much easier time learning songs and can do so without the help of a coach or musical director. Sight singing is the ability to sing what is notated at a glance, any requires the ability to identify intervals immediately and sing them correctly, and in time.
4-WEEK MUSICAL THEATRE
This online Musical Theatre Workshop introduces students to the integral skills required for success in the musical theatre field and teaches them how to prepare themselves for the various demands of a musical theatre career. It is designed for individuals with singing and movement abilities who may or may not have prior experience on a musical theatre stage. Upon completion, students will have gained invaluable knowledge and experience in the art and craft of musical theatre through the convenience of an online platform.
Classes: Acting, Performance Lab, Ballet, Jazz/Theatre Dance, History of Musical Theatre, Voice Studio Lab, Audition Technique, Basic Music Theory
Additional cost: Once weekly one-on-one voice lessons (four total) for an additional US$250.
Musical Theatre Class Descriptions
Acting
This class introduces actor training developed in part by Sanford Meisner, but also includes an eclectic mix of practical techniques from modern sources of training aimed at growing the actor’s listening and responding skills. The class begins with foundational exercises to train the actor's reflexes toward behavioral truth within imaginary circumstances. Once this foundation has been established, the students can apply themselves to scripted text.
Performance Lab
This is a performance-based class that approaches musical theater the same way an actor explores text in a play. During the course, each student will develop necessary skills to thoughtfully investigate material in order to combine organic choices in movement, acting and singing. Students will explore the fundamentals of text analysis and research in order to provide intentions, stakes and conflict for each character in a variety of contrasting musical theater genres.
Ballet
This class provides a highly disciplined and developmentally appropriate sequence of ballet training. In class training focuses upon building strength, flexibility, musicality, and coordination. The class will cover the basics of placement/alignment, turnout, lines of positions, port de bras, quality of movement, class etiquette, ballet terminology.
Jazz/Theatre Dance
This class is designed to teach each student the correct alignment and specific techniques necessary for advancement within this and all dance genres. Class is aimed at increasing strength, flexibility, endurance, and the ability to learn and retain choreography..
Voice Studio Lab
This course provides an introduction to the basic functional skills of vocal production and singing. Topics include: breathing, muscular and air support, diction, the vocal anatomy, tone production, vowel and consonant modification, resonance and vocal health.
History of Musical Theatre
This course provides students with an overview of early and modern theatre; including composers, lyricists, performers, directors, choreographers, and producers.
Audition Technique
The study of musical and non-musical based audition techniques. Included in the class will be a unit of work focused on professional preparation and the business of acting covering topics related to casting, audition prep, headshots and resumes, personal style, awareness of type, and current trends in the profession.
Basic Music Theory
This class teaches students literacy in the written language of music. Actors who have the ability to read music fluently have a much easier time learning songs and can do so without the help of a coach or musical director. Sight singing is the ability to sing what is notated at a glance, any requires the ability to identify intervals immediately and sing them correctly, and in time.
1-800-611-FILM | 1-212-674-4300 
4-WEEK ONLINE DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING - SOCIAL MEDIA MICRO DOCS
Tuition: $1,800 (USD)Offered for regular programming and additional workshops available for Asia time zones. To view schedules, click here.
In this workshop, students will learn the art of creating cutting-edge Micro Docs for social media distribution. These 1-5 minute mini-documentaries have become some of the most powerful and popular media available, reaching more people and having a bigger impact than most Hollywood movies. This workshop focuses on how to make Micro Docs using a home computer and a smartphone.
Through a series of lectures, in class screenings, case studies—at least one with guest Micro Docs filmmaker(s)—and hands-on workshops, this course shepherds students through the production and launch of three (3) original 1-5 minute Micro Docs optimized for social media distribution.
Program Requirements:
- Smart Phone with a camera
- Filmic Pro App (additional student cost is approximately $14.99)
- DaVinci Resolve Editing Software (no additional student cost)
- Laptop or desktop computer with minimum specs for editing
- Selfie Stick for use in Hands-On Cinematography Workshops
Suggested Resources:- External hard drive (optional) may cost an additional $30-$200
Weekly Breakdown/Focus- Week 1:
- The World of Social Media Micro Documentaries / Pre Producing An Original Micro Doc / Smartphone Cinematography
- Practicum: Shoot and Gather Materials for a Micro Doc
- Week 2:
- Editing and Optimizing for Social Media / Exploring Micro Docs Series and The Ways Micro Docs Have Been Used to Make Change
- Practicum: Edit An Original Micro Doc, Optimized for Social Media Distribution
- Week 3:
- The World of Social Media Micro Doc Series / Target Audiences / Designing and Pre Producing A Series of Two (2) Original Micro Docs
- Practicum: Shoot and Gather Materials for a Series of Two (2) Micro Docs
- Week 4:
- Editing and Optimizing Micro Doc Series for Social Media / • Practicum: Edit An Original Micro Series, Optimized for Social
- Media Distribution
For more information on this program, click here.4-Week Documentary Filmmaking Micro Docs Class Descriptions
Directing
The core of the 4-Week Program, Directing introduces students to the fundamentals of directing social media Micro Docs. Students explore the idea and realities of the form, learn key film language and develop, pre- produce and workshop their own original Micro Docs. Social media distribution and simple producing will also be covered.
Directing is broken down into 5 subclasses: Directors Craft (8 sessions), Project Development (8 sessions), Case Studies (2), Final Screenings (2 sessions).
Cinematography (Smartphone)
This course introduces students to the principles of photography as applied to the moving image. The fundamental elements of cinematography can be applied to any camera. Those fundamentals include; exposure, lenses, focus, and movement. All will also be applied specifically to the smartphone camera.
In addition to covering cameras, this course will explore the fundamentals of documentary camera work, strategies specific to shooting with a smartphone and of shooting an interview on a computer screen.
Cinematography is broken down into the following subclasses: Image & Style (2 sessions), Hands-On Production Workshops (4 sessions), and Screen & Feedback (2 sessions).
Hands-On Editing
This area of study presents students with multiple aesthetic approaches to editing video. Students will learn to edit for story and how to apply theoretical editing concepts to nonfiction material. Additionally, students will learn to operate DaVinci Resolve Editing Software, which they will use to edit their own films. Classes can be supplemented with individual consultations at the computer.
Hands-On Editing is broken down into 4 subclasses: Theory of Editing (2 sessions), Working with Premiere Pro (5 sessions), Motion Control and Titling in Premiere Pro (2 session), and a hands-on finishing session (2 session).
Hands-On Editing is broken down into 4 subclasses: Theory of Editing , Working with DaVinci Resolve Editing Software, Motion Control and Titling, and a hands-on finishing session.
Documentary Storytelling
This portion of the program focuses on the basic elements of film narrative including 3 act structure, character, conflict or obstacles, dramatic questions and stakes. Students will learn to use the concepts to identify stories happening in real life, to identify which “story beats” they need to capture and how to put them together to create powerful nonfiction stories. Students will practice applying key narrative principles to their own work. They will also be introduced to scripting for micro docs, and will learn to identify action ideas, and to create loglines and pitches.